Religious Group Campaigns to Ban Dakota Fanning Film  1/24/07

A US religious group is demanding a global ban of controversial new movie Hounddog, insisting it "celebrates" pedophilia.

The film has sparked outrage following its premiere at Utah's Sundance Film Festival on Monday (22JAN07), because it features a graphic rape scene involving 12-year-old actress Dakota Fanning.

Now the Catholic League For Religious And Civil Rights has organized a petition to have the film banned.

Bill Donohoe, the organization's director, says, "How can we celebrate pedophilia in this so-called artistic way?

"Five or six years ago this girl was on a tricycle. There has to be some line of decency which Hollywood will not cross."

Hounddog's makers insist the scene is tastefully shot, with Fanning wearing a body suit and partially obscured by shadow. Fanning's mother Joy was present during filming.