Activist calls for boycott of movie depicting teen rape
(CNS): A local activist has called on people in Cayman to boycott Adam Sandler’s latest film as the movie uses the subject of statutory rape for laughs. "That’s My Boy" is a comedy about a 13-year-old schoolboy who has a sexual affair with his teacher. Marilyn Conolly says it glorifies rape and abuse and is no laughing matter. She’s calling for people to boycott the movie on the local big screen. “This movie portrays statutory rape of a 13-year-old child as the basis for the comedic material later in the film,” she told Cayman 27.
“The statutory rape of the child is portrayed as normal behaviour; it is endorsed as appropriate sexual behaviour for a 13-year-old male and shows scenes where the male's friends actually high five him, congratulating him on the relationship with him and his teacher, which in the Cayman Islands is rape.”
Representatives for Hollywood Theatres declined comment, the local news channel reported.
Conolly told CNS, "Having worked on issues dealing with women and children for about 17 years, I have seen the devastating effects of sexual abuse on children both from dealing with this issue in the community and from the perspective of the prison system; therefore I continue to advocate for the prevention of child sexual abuse by training adults to be responsible for the protection of children. While there are many aspects of this problem to address, I have focussed my efforts on prevention.
"Despite my views on this film, I do not support censorship especially under the present guidelines for the Cinematograph Board, which is why I did not approach them. I chose instead to share my views with others in our community who, if they agree with my comments, can choose to withhold their support of this film. Everyone has a right to their opinion and I understand that we will not all be on the same page.However, discussion is healthy to bringing this issue to light.
"The important outcome for me is that we as a community begin to speak about the issue of child sexual abuse because regardless of whether persons agree or disagree with my views and my suggestion to boycott, once we as a community start to discuss this issue it is only then that we can make progress on addressing this epidemic that is destroying our community through our lack of knowledge, tacit public acceptance and/or inaction by those who can make a positive difference in the life of a child."
Category: Local News
Adam Sandler movie? Im going to watch this for sure 🙂
Culturally, Caymanian 'men' were away on turtling boats from they were 14 years old. They were making money and supporting thier families back home at 14. They were exposed to a whole lot more than they are now, yes, at 14 years old.
We must remember that laws are only a line in the sand, drawn at a particular time in history, identifying what a certain group of people agree colelctively to at that time. The age of 18 is one such mark. Given that the human matures around 12 years of age I am not sure whether the 18 year marker is not simply a legal line rather than something more fundamental.
A far worse thing for children is to indoctrinate them in religious fundamentalism when they are too young to have their own views.
That's right. I think we should not send them to school until they are old enough to decide for themselves whether they want to go.
Well you are quite apt at convoluting the point to hyperbole, but a modern school would allow the exposure to all religions for a child to decide for themselves rather than the child be coaxed by the fear that thier parents will punish or shun them if they don't hold the same personal belief held by their parents.
There is no convolution. It is up to parents to decide what is best for their children until they can reach an age to decide for themselves. Obviously ALL parents employ their own values to make those decisions. Clearly for christian parents Christianity is a positive and unique influence for the child. In any event the child is subject to myriad other influences through peers, teachers, books, television etc. and no one is suggesting that the child be removed from those influences. The idea that the influence a parent considers positive should be arbitrarily removed from the child's experience or that the parent should artificially adopt a posture that religion is like different kinds of candy and the child only has to choose a flavour he likes is preposterous. Only persons that have a negative view of Christianity would believe that children should not be given that influence. They obviously wish to impose their own views on christian families.
Well said.
She called for a boycott, not censorship. Most of the comments contribute nothing to a meaningful discussion. They do, however, show how quick people are to comment before comprehending. Please, please, please – let's all do Cayman a favor and be more careful before we click "send."
Ms. Marilyn: according to these comments Cayman has a long way to go before they get a conscience. It is time to highlight these issues.
Boy o’ boy! I had many a fantasy about Ms. Greenwood back in the 80’s. That was truly ‘Hot for Teacher’ moments! I see no issue with this as adults are the main audience. But I applauded your stance, I just don’t agree with it.
And if you read the psycho-babble about the popularity of Vampire Diaries, it's about straight girls wanting to sleep with gay men.
If kids were forced to see the movie,(like they are forced to read the bible, attend church or mimick there parents), then she has a point.
Gee we should throw away the technique of following your parents example just because the parents required them to go to church.
Maybe if we had proposed that they go to strip bars you would be happier.
Because anyone who believes children should be allowed to make up their own minds about religion must be lacking in morals? Come on. Surely you know better than that by now.
Oops. sorry that was supposed to be a thumbs down, not up.
lacking in christian morals, certainly.
There are much more horrific plotlines in the Bible.
I agree.. such as the idea that an all powerful god exist .. and santa claus brings me presents every christmas…
Relax youself Miss Conolly this is not Canada or Europe where porn is shown in movie theaters,Debbie Does Dallas will not be coming here anytime soon,please address more important things.
all boys at some time had the hots for 1 teacher aleast once lol , that is human nuture!!
This is stupid. She has no right to take away my right to watch what’s right or wrong in her self righteous mind. The movie isn’t focusing on what she is talking about. The bible is full of rape and incest and murder and infidelity and fathers selling daughters to much older men and stoning women who aren’t virgins… oh god the list goes on of highly inapproprate stuff. Yet people take their kids every Sunday to hear of a man being gored in his side and spit on to save their sins. Or Lot’s daughters seducing him by getting him drunk to have sex with him. Or what about when he offered his daughters up to be raped by men who wanted to rape the two angels? Some of the most vile garbage is written in that book. It should be rated R. My kids won’t ever be exposed to that because it’s not age appropriate. But you don’t see me saying lets ban it. I just choose not to expose my kids to it, the same way my kids won’t watch this movie. I’ll watch it but they won’t be able to. Why? Because I’m a responsible adult who can make my own INFORMED decisions.
Well- it's about real people.
You, me and everyone else, sothere IS lots of vile stuff in it… but also mots of good stuff and good people!
But, the Bible is also about people trying to overcome all the vile stuff…
It is not about real people. A man did not live in a fish, the allegorical tales contained therein are not to be taken literally.
At first I thought you had just wasted your time making this post. I initially thought if you had only read the article carefully you would have realized that she was not "taking away your right" or anyone else's. She specifically says that it is her opinion and she is "asking" people to boycott, she specifically did not ask for censorship (which would be taking away your right). It is up to you to boycott or not.
But then I continued reading your rant about "Yet people take their kids every Sunday to hear of a man being gored in his side and spit on to save their sins. Or Lot's daughters seducing him by getting him drunk to have sex with him. Or what about when he offered his daughters up to be raped by men who wanted to rape the two angels? Some of the most vile garbage is written in that book" then realized that you had taken this opportunity to make it known that you don't believe in God or the Bible. Sneaky!
Although you are entitled to your opinion you have totally missed Mrs. Conolly's point. Even though the Bible does have rape and all the other things you referenced, I don't think any pastor is glorifying it or making a comedy out of it.
I think Mrs. Conolly's point she was making was although these things happen they shouldn't be comical. What is comical about rape? If it were a male teacher having a relationship with a 13-yr girl in the movie, would you think it was funny? Would you want to "high five" the girl?
I'm afraid it is you sir/miss, who has missed the point.
It is not a question of what is comical, to quote Mrs Connolly herself,
"The important outcome for me is that we as a community begin to speak about the issue of child sexual abuse."
Given that is the fundamental issue, then religion must be central to the discussion. Not only are there the obvious plethora of child abuse scandals involving elements of various churches, globally, but the bible and pastors do in fact glorify these tales the prior poster referred to – it is the last part of society where these stories ARE still told and glorified!
The point isn’t ‘although these things happen they shouldn't be comical’ – the point is ‘why do these things happen and how can we stop it?’.
I wish people in Cayman would stand up for the real things going on, not just "movies"….look into your own back yard, children getting raped, adults getting raped, but YOU KNOW WHAT, it is covered up like everything else because they don't want everyone to know what is really going on in the Cayman Islands…..
The fact that some religious people are involved in child sex abuse does not make the issue one about religion. It is about wrongdoing whether it is done by someone who is religious or not. But clearly you are trying to use the issue to attack religion rather than deal with the issue itself.
My response was to the prior poster who said religion was not relevant to the debate. My point is that religion is pivotal to this discussion.
I am not using the issue to attack religion and ignoring the issue, I am literally saying that religion is a direct and prevalent causal factor of child abuse. Why don’t you deal with the issue and respond, rather than irrationally accusing me of avoiding the issue.
Sorry. You hit the FAIL button on this one. Pastors do glorify some pretty heinous stuff – such things as infanticide when they recount the great "victories" His "faithful" people had over the enemies that God ordered them to slaughter unmercifully, man woman and child. So what's your story now? If you can say "Hallelujah, Amen" over the killing of babies surely you won't trip over people having a few giggles about a teen going boink-boink with his teacher.
Your last point, while a common retort to such matters, completely disregards the emotional, cultural and consequential differences between the genders in regard to sex. FAIL, again!
Adam Sandler's movies suck. Yes, some touch upon something resembling humor, but the most sorrowful thing about this whole thing is that Ms. Connoly's well-intended efforts will only serve to draw more people to the film that would have otherwise attended it.
If she feels like that what should be done, she has all rights to voice her objections to the film.
Speak out about what you feel is wrong in our society. She is a brave and courageous woman and I for one, commend you.
People see all kinds of wrong in life and choose not to act. Most people nowadays have no concern for the welfare of others. They would walk by you starving cuz all they know is that its not them.
it might be a problem for some caymanians who tend to bring their children into R rated movies……..
And then spend their time there on their cell phone.
Or talking to the actors on screen…
Adam Sandler is still making movies?!
People are still paying to see them?!!!!!
So if the movie were about a 13-year-old girl whose teacher had gotten her pregnant, it would be just be 'comedic relief'? We in Cayman have to start somewhere in terms of saying that there are some things that are just wrong. We can't laugh off everything. Regardless of whether it's a girl or a boy, it's statutory rape.
I applaud her for taking a stance, most people seems to think this is frivolous and not care what the we're exposed to. Yes there are other movies that glorify other negatives but doesn't mean she shouldn't speak out about something effecting our home. The topic of rape is much more serious in the Cayman Islands than you might think.
RELAX! Every 15 year old male probably has this fantasy! Might be politically incorrect to say this: but its not the same thing with a boy and his female teacher than with a girl and her male teacher. Some may SAY it is, but WE ALL KNOW and FEEL its just aint quite the same thing…….
Just a sayin!
Its probably too late but you should really try to boycott the movie called "the dictator". I hear that it didn't do well in Iraq.
I see the film has disappeared from the cinema anyway.
Did they bow to censorship or was it just that nobody came to watch it.
I noticed Cabin in the Woods disappeared very quickly as well. That certianly wasn't an unpopular film, but I can imagine there will have been some members of the "faith community" concerned that it portrayed pagan themes which might upset their imaginary friends.
In my country, we wouldn't care about things like this.
So? We don't need to be like you or your country. Caymanians must have the say in Cayman!
Doesn't say much for your country then.
At least we have one thats an independent nation state, not a backwards looking artifact.
This is an R rated movie so there is still that freedom of choice for adults. We cannot legislate morality because we then get on that slippery slope of censorship and clearly we all have varying standards of morality. Personally for me there would never be any fear of me watching this movie in the first place because I do not find humour in Adam Sandler's movies. However, that is my personal opinion and I do not have the right to tell an adult what they can and cannot watch.
The positive from Marilyn's comments are that it brings awareness of the seriousness of the issue again to the forefront and we can thus engage in conversation on this often uncomfortable topic.
Also, any suggestions from Marilyn on how we as a society can lend a helping hand to fight this sickness would be greatly appreciated, but not in the form of censorship.
It's a movie, and as with all other movies whether horror, thriller, action or comedy it is to be watched with discretion and it's actions taken into context. No, not everyone will see it as a laughing matter and I certainly don't, add to that that I really don't appreciate Adam Sandler's style of comedy at all, but I abhor censorship and feel that as (hopefully) intelligent and independent thinking individuals we are able to discern artisitc expression through film vs. endorsement of a particular illegal and immoral behaviour.
Thanks for the attempts to be my moral guide and light, but I will make up my own mind as to weather I want to see the movie or not, thank you very much.
Seriously?! Lighten up sweetheart it’s just another bad Adam Sandler movie.
Some people really have nothing better to do than complain. I guess we cant watch The Terminator because it glories murder, Platoon because it glorifies war, Bambi because it glorifes shooting deer, Fast and the Furious because it glorifies Street Racing….If you dont have sense of humour, dont watch the movie. (The high five part is pretty funny)
platoon did not glorify war…
Shame Cayman isn't so concerned about other human rights issues, like PR, racism and the right to a family life for expat workers.
The movie going public are adults, treat them like it and let them make up their own minds according to their conscience. Censorship is destructive and inevitably unenforcable as the film will be available on DVD or download anyway.
I'm boycotting it simply due to Adam Sandler being in it
I support your stand 100%,we need more people like you who would standup without fear…….
Another thing to look into…
1) Don't we have a commitee to preview and RATE movies for our Islands…
2) Maybe the movie house should automatically ban this movie for the love of the Country…..
El coronel
Hollywood Cinemas.has not shown any movies with a strong pro gay theme since it opened.
Where is the Cenematatic Board that should be censoring what is shown at the Cinemas?
Cayman is going to hell in a hand basket while everyone is asleep at tke wheel!
Hadn’t heard about it before but now I’m definitely going to see it!
This is a good move but why did we not hear similar outcries about the Hunger Games? I guess statutory rape is more serious than kids murdering each other?
A perfect example of double standards with America – if that was a 13 year old girl now it would have been banned or if it was a colored women with a 13 year old boy. Will it be acceptable for a gay man or woman with a 13 year old boy or girl as a laugh also?
This is why there is so much hate, division and racism in the US because they use certain depictions of human profiling and looks to get there point across. The fat person is always ridiculed or the bald and or chubby guy is always the loser in that TV commercial. When Obama first got in you saw all the TV commercials with colored actors and now? (Not that I am an Obama fan or any President after JFK)
This why our youth have some issues because of the Music videos, T.V. commercials,Movies,Video games etc.etc. Just getting more deplorable with moral standards. Even some cartoons these days have me shocked!
Wow, it's just a stupid movie, how did you get so worked up?
Ms. Conolly I must respectfully ask you to take a seat, the movie is intended for comical relief. Where was this outrage for other movies that highlights other criminal activities such as murder, bank robberies and sexual assault?
Where was the outcry when alcoholic beverage manufacturers were the main sponsors for children fundraisers by NCVO?
Just like CAYMAN! We have a "Cinematographic Regulatory Board" whose purview is "to vet" movies of this nature either to approve or disapprove them being shown publicly in any Cinema on the Island, yet not a word from these people. No surprise to me, because this kind of social impotence is the norm for "This Island".
Complacency has taken over completely!
Let's see if we'll hear from whomever is The Chair of this so called Regulatory Board! WE more than likely will hear some lame excuse from them as to why it was allowed to be shown. I'd venture to say it will be a buck passing excuse, or something to this effect:
"WE ARE LOOKING INTO IT" or some other lame excuse!
By the way the movie ends it's run today! Guess not much they can do now!
i wish i got that lucky when i was 13!
opps I meant 31
I'm tryign to think of some way to say "I'll skip the movie" that sounds positive without being open to 'humerous misinterpretation".
Should we also protest the local (actual) homosexuality/stat rape involving local boys, and big women with school girls!
Cayman has turned so many 'blind eyes' that we are all going blind!
Geeze! Are you kidding me! Get a sense of humour for peace sake and find something to do with your time besides this foolishness! I saw the movie last night and found it quite funny, that joke of it with the 13yr old was based on the incident years ago in the US. Tell me how many people found their laughs out if it when it happened – I sure did and saw many a shows and interviews on news stations debating it with lots of times jokes being laughed at with the situation. Obviously it is geared for comedy and not "glorifying" such an act. Furthermore Adam Sander's character in the film turns out to be a no good bum and the teacher ends up in prison for some 30 years – what part of that is glorifying it? And lastly the film is Rated R which means you have to be 17 and older to see it without an accompanying adult – movies are rated for a reason so what you are saying is grown folks over 17yrs are going to be coaxed into having sexual affairs with minors? The person that does that is messed up mentally to begin with and is not just brought on by this movie not to mention they can see far ore than what this film has for free in the privacy of their own home on the internet. I don't see anyone saying/advocating to boycott an extra terrestrial type film or a fictional robots type film because it influences us to believe when we go outside after seeing it we'll see ET waiting for us at our car or that our car will get up and run away from us shooting up the place and destroying everything in sight.
If we are expected to take things so literal we'd never get a joke and walk around all day long with frowns. Come on I'm sorry but I find this totally ridiculous!
Just a suggestion but she should consider that maybe her voice would be more useful trying to highlight what statutory rape is all about and to educate young people and their parents about this very serious crime that is happening right here in Grand Cayman everyday versus trying to boycott a movie for making a serious situation a joke.
I guess she didn't see half of the movies released this year [Wonder if she's seen 'Get him to the Greek' which glorifies pretty much everything seedy, Jeffrey anyone?]
She definetly would have probably burned down HT and thrown up if she watched "Bastard out of South Carolina', that movie would make the hardest heart crumble!!
I do think that movie content, more so recently, are looking at including things we would never think we would see glorified on TV. Worse yet in family movies. I do think movie amkers are trying to depict movies as close to real life as possible, it pisses some people off but hey that's where peoploe's freedom to express themselves comes in.
We as humans do extremely insensitive things everyday, sometimes without knowing it but most times we don't care. It's unfortunate but true.
Again I think her efforts would be better served educating the community and trying to weed out the issues right there at home becuase when you fight htings like this it actually has the opposite effect.
I had no intention of seeing this movie till it hit cable but now I'm going to go watch just to see what she's referring to!
And this isn't highlighting the issue?
I could think of a long list of things that the local "activist" should be concerned with right now over a frigging movie for gods sake.
I don't see you doing anything about it, except writing comments and complain.
Great to see soemone finally addressing the issue of media content/exposure.
What of the many other movies in recent times which could./should have been boycotted (Hunger Games / Lottery Ticket come to mind) for the casual portralal of youth violence/gratuitous teen sex/drugs etc etc?
Yes, there is the delicate issue of 'freedom or expresion', but parents especailly have to take a stance at certain times.
After all, ther is no filter on most of our media. The radio stations/DJs say things & play raw versions of music that is banned in regional Caribbean countries!
And as for what is now 'pop'/mainstream music… the lyrical content is most lacking in quality- eg. "anyone wanna eat my birthday cake…" Come on people
However, ithe solution could be as simple (for responsibile parents) as changing the TV or ravio channel, or not taking the child to the movies — especially when combined with discussions on what's appropriate or not.
What I'd luv to see is a published independent weekly review of new movies by local residents (of all demographics). Perhaps even books./music as well…
Anyways.. food for thought.
Clearly the boy was upset after he had sex with his teacher, you could tell by his reaction of high fiving all his friends…..
Its an R-Rated movie, kids should not be in attendance. Adults can make up their own minds.
If Ms. Conolly is so concerned about "statutory rape" perhaps she should take her agenda to every school on the island as the kids these days are having sex with each other well before the age of 16, fact.
I understand if it is rated PG-13 or considered a family film… but if its rated R, I don't see why you should create a scene at Camana Bay!
It is freedom of speech and expression. People who are adults have discernment and know what is comedy from what isn't. If people want to protest against the movie – just don't watch it!
Thanks Marilyn for still having a Conscience. Most of these posts plainly showsus what kind of demons we have in our midst. Decent folks bless you.!!