Slog
News & ArtsTuesday, August 3, 2010
Film The Sorrows of Larry Fishburne
Posted by Charles Mudede on Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Is this not what all fathers fear their daughters will do to them?
Actor Laurence Fishburne has fallen out with his daughter over her involvement in an explicit adult movie.All of this work, all of this money and fame ends with her being fucked silly in a porn movie—a movie the father, his friends, and the whole world can watch. But without the potential for this betrayal, the ultimate betrayal, how could the relationship between a father and his daughter be close? The thing that makes a close bond possible or real is precisely trust. Hegel once wrote that the bond between a sister and brother was the strongest in a family—meaning, the strongest bond in a society. But this thinking is wrong. Why? The tension in the trust between siblings is much weaker than the one between father and daughter. This bond is repeatedly tested and stressed. And when it breaks, it bleeds like nobody's business.Montana Fishburne, 19, hit the headlines last week (ends01Aug10) after footage from the X-rated film emerged online.
The teenager is hoping the sex tape kick starts her Hollywood career, but she admits the footage has done considerable damage to her relationship with her dad.
1
I think all of this can be blamed on America's weak commitment to providing a decent education to all of its citizen(s)
3
@1: America educates its people to be good Wal-Mart shelf-stackers and Fox News watchers. Anything more is just socialist-driven elitism and waste of money needed by rich aristocrats and the war machine.
8
This may come as a surprise to some, but *every* man or woman appearing in a pornographic movie is *someone's* son or daughter.
9
@6: you would if it was your daughter. it's hard enough to let your daughter out of the house without a burkha.
11
It's not something she "did to him." It's something she did, and there's nothing wrong with it. Parents who are determined to see this kind of thing as an offense against them need counseling. She's an adult; she can make her own choices.
14
Unknown wanna-bes do "sex tapes" in the hope it gives them fame. This is the daughter of Morpheus, you'd like an easier and more sure-fire way to fame would be to just ask some of her dad's friends for a role in a movie. A sex tape makes no sense, just shows she's spoiled and immature at best.
15
@8 : Indeed. I don't suppose it occurs to fathers who get upset about their daughters appearing nude or in porn that if they've ever enjoyed such things themselves (and how many straight men haven't?) they are big ol' hypocrites.
16
If in this case, 'strength' were about tension, and not closeness, the likelihood of a bond enduring, fidelity, friendship, or intimacy, perhaps you'd have a point, Mudede.
17
Porno film - check.
News headline about pissed off dad - check.
People have now heard of the young lady - check.
Shitty reality TV show contract from VH1 involving wealthy young ladies who have been in a porno and now get paid to bitch on camera about having to wash something - pending.
News headline about pissed off dad - check.
People have now heard of the young lady - check.
Shitty reality TV show contract from VH1 involving wealthy young ladies who have been in a porno and now get paid to bitch on camera about having to wash something - pending.
18
I think the act here is that she did it on purpose. The fact she is trying to use it to parlay a "career" shows, I think, some pretty piss poor parenting. Especially since she has a golden ticket in hollywood because of her dad. All she would have to do it *try* and maybe take some acting lessons.
I mean, look at Jaden Smith. Come on.
I mean, look at Jaden Smith. Come on.
20
One would wonder why Montana would feel the need to star in porn to help her career if her father is Laurence Fishburn...
I think she's right - he'll get over it.
I think she's right - he'll get over it.
21
I'm not judging, but as a father, this would break my heart. Who knows what happened, but as Chris Rock says, if your daughter is dancing up on a pole, you fucked up.
I don't know if Fish fucked up,but man I feel for him. One of my fave actors. Y'all remember him as a kid in Apocalypse Now?
I don't know if Fish fucked up,but man I feel for him. One of my fave actors. Y'all remember him as a kid in Apocalypse Now?
22
What annoys me far more than the stupid porn tape is the notion that Montana could or should or ought to be an actress in the first place. Nepotism much? Why don't she and her dad want her to be an elevator repair person, a physics professor, or a graphic designer?
24
Like hell you're not judging, SeMe @21
As a parent I'd feel like I fucked up if my daughter or son took a job that involved spending her days hurting people-- a corrupt cop, a corrupt politician, a bloviating pundit, etc. Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich...their parents are the ones who should feel either ashamed or offended. Maybe Chris Rock should consider how parents of a 36 year old who works the counter at McDonald's should feel....is that better or worse than a woman showing off her body for a living?
As a parent I'd feel like I fucked up if my daughter or son took a job that involved spending her days hurting people-- a corrupt cop, a corrupt politician, a bloviating pundit, etc. Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich...their parents are the ones who should feel either ashamed or offended. Maybe Chris Rock should consider how parents of a 36 year old who works the counter at McDonald's should feel....is that better or worse than a woman showing off her body for a living?
25
Is she guilty of "betrayal" towards her father in a different way than she would be towards her mother? And what's the betrayal here - that she did something socially looked down on and that her parents prohibited her from doing? Is this worse than the betrayal her father would feel if she shoplifted/joined the Tea Party/ whatever?
Or is it that she didn't keep her "purity" vows towards her father, as the new purity ball/purity ring father-daughter phenomena demonstrate?
I need more detail before I can understand Charles's "betrayed father" reaction.
Or is it that she didn't keep her "purity" vows towards her father, as the new purity ball/purity ring father-daughter phenomena demonstrate?
I need more detail before I can understand Charles's "betrayed father" reaction.
26
That's nice that y'all are so open-minded that you think this is cool, but I don't think you're thinking this through too well. "Porn actress" isn't really a career, aside from the tiny handful who make interesting money (for a few years at most). Maybe if you're 19 you think making $500 or whatever to get fucked is a big deal, but in the real world that's not a career. Seriously, working at McDonalds has better long-term prospects.
27
Lawrence Fishburne would make a bad-ass father-in-law, but I'd never touch his daughter if I didn't intend to keep her. Every time I saw him onscreen it would be like his big, serious, disappointed eyes were looking right at me.
On a related note, was her costar in the video named Iago?
On a related note, was her costar in the video named Iago?
28
@26 I too would be disappointed in my kid if he/she did that. I don't dispute that many (most?) parents would be disappointed and even betrayed, but but this special father-betrayal is a little icky, I don't know.
29
ok, I have to retract some - if my kid were engaged productively/creatively etc in a different project beside porn, I probably wouldn't be that "disappointed" if she made a porno. If that were his/her only means of subsistence, I would be.
30
@ Fnarf,
I don't think it's "cool." Like Skeptika, I'm annoyed by the depiction of this as some kind of personal crime against her father. Her sexuality isn't his property-- it's hers to do with what she wants.
I don't think it's "cool." Like Skeptika, I'm annoyed by the depiction of this as some kind of personal crime against her father. Her sexuality isn't his property-- it's hers to do with what she wants.
31
His fault for naming her after a state. If you're named after a state, you don't even need to make up a stripper name.
32
I can think of a few young women with famous parents who used sex tapes to become "actors", Paris, Kim K...
In the end children grow up and become emancipated adults. They often make choices that cause their families grief or distress. In those events it finally comes down to one simple truth: The parent either loves the child enough to accept their choice(s) and will nurture the relationship with the child or not. The same applies to parental choices that distress children. This is not to say that the feelings of grief, disappointment, and fear of possible judgement by peers and pity are not real. But those issues are the wounded party's to work through.
In the end children grow up and become emancipated adults. They often make choices that cause their families grief or distress. In those events it finally comes down to one simple truth: The parent either loves the child enough to accept their choice(s) and will nurture the relationship with the child or not. The same applies to parental choices that distress children. This is not to say that the feelings of grief, disappointment, and fear of possible judgement by peers and pity are not real. But those issues are the wounded party's to work through.
33
@30, it's possible to see this as a betrayal, a failure, from daddy's perspective, without even bringing up sexuality at all.
The sad thing is that, right or wrong, making a porno is just about the worst possible way imaginable to "kickstart a movie career". It pretty much makes a legit career impossible (and yes, I know who Sasha Grey and Traci Lords are).
The sad thing is that, right or wrong, making a porno is just about the worst possible way imaginable to "kickstart a movie career". It pretty much makes a legit career impossible (and yes, I know who Sasha Grey and Traci Lords are).
34
Yeah, if you're bonded to your daughter sexually so strongly that you can't bear her to make her own boneheaded sexual decisions, that's a goddamn problem with you and for the both of you.
36
I'm with 25, 28, and 30. Charles, what the hell are you on about?
It's bad enough that the poor girl thinks that making a porn will kick-start her film career (because we all know that THAT always works). She's got bad judgment. Now she's supposed to feel guilty too?
I always bristle a little at parents who assert that their kids owe them anything.
You want to talk about 'testing and stressing' the father/daughter bond? Let's talk about what Chelsea Clinton had to put up with.
It's bad enough that the poor girl thinks that making a porn will kick-start her film career (because we all know that THAT always works). She's got bad judgment. Now she's supposed to feel guilty too?
I always bristle a little at parents who assert that their kids owe them anything.
You want to talk about 'testing and stressing' the father/daughter bond? Let's talk about what Chelsea Clinton had to put up with.
37
I would consider her having sex on camera not a crime against her father, but the repeated use of her father's name to drum up publicity is pretty trashy. I'd be pissed if my kid was using my name to further her stunt-fucking in the hopes of becoming "famous". What the hell will she be famous for? Using her father's status as a springboard to infamy? That sounds about right for the logic of a spoiled 19-year-old with issues.
ETA: also, if I want to see anyone connected to Laurence Fishburne get naked, it's definitely Gina Torres. I'll be in my bunk.
ETA: also, if I want to see anyone connected to Laurence Fishburne get naked, it's definitely Gina Torres. I'll be in my bunk.
38
I think the people here who would be all mortified if their daughter was in a porn film ought to perhaps address just a little scrutiny to their puritanical hang ups. Sexual double standards are the most odious kind of puritanical odiousness. Indoctrinating your children into them is the definition of bad parenting.
39
@ 38. You sound like you just graduated from evergreen. Maybe you can ratchet down the self righteous indignation.
And if your kid gets anal in a film that is sold for profit you have failed as a parent. I'm assuming that most of those who think otherwise don't have kids.
And if your kid gets anal in a film that is sold for profit you have failed as a parent. I'm assuming that most of those who think otherwise don't have kids.
40
@39 Funny I don't see anyone else besides you talking about their 'kid'. Kind of seems like their concerns are primarily focused on their daughters, specifically the virtue of their daughters (although, well the allegedly enlightened would most likely not put it quite that way).
41
@40. I figured most of would feel the same if it was their son. But I didn't notice that until you pointed it out.
43
It was a really dumb, classless thing of her to do. If she wants to be a sex worker, great. Do that. But don't go making porn and expecting it to give you a Hollywood career. You'll just be the next reality TV/tabloid queen and we will all (hopefully) forget about you soon.
As for the dad stuff...eesh. Shit like this makes me wonder how my life would be different if my father was alive. Would I be "betraying" him by making money off of writing gay erotica? Would I be betraying him every time I stick a cock in my mouth? Whatever. Daddy doesn't own your junk.
As for the dad stuff...eesh. Shit like this makes me wonder how my life would be different if my father was alive. Would I be "betraying" him by making money off of writing gay erotica? Would I be betraying him every time I stick a cock in my mouth? Whatever. Daddy doesn't own your junk.
44
I really don't think people's aversion to their sons or daughters doing porn is all about our "puritanical nature." There are a lot of risks that come with doing porn. To name just two, there are STDs and the inability to get another job in a few years after her looks fade and she ages. I realize you can get STDs anywhere, but there is a much higher risk when doing porn. It's also not a long term job, and even if there are a few "open minded" people on this thread, there aren't in real life. It's about being concerned for your child's safety, which all paretns are. It may also be about the exposure of your child to the world. This may be selfish, but this can also have a negative effect on the family.
I realize people should make their own choices in life, but that doesn't mean the people that love them have to like it. Everybody's entitled to their feelings. You're not better or more enlightened than anybody by saying you wouldn't have a problem. You really won't know how you feel until you are the parent.
I realize people should make their own choices in life, but that doesn't mean the people that love them have to like it. Everybody's entitled to their feelings. You're not better or more enlightened than anybody by saying you wouldn't have a problem. You really won't know how you feel until you are the parent.
46
@44 Mmm, not buying that. People, allegedly enlightened people even, absorb the ambient puritanism in our culture and perpetuate it by imposing it on their children. The sort of 'I wouldn't let my daughter go out dressed like that' attitude on display here is all about embracing and reinforcing sexual double standards and spinning that as good parenting is a load of crap.
48
There is so much paternalistic condescension and implied ownership in the statement
Is this not what all fathers fear their daughters will do to them?
that it's hard to know where to start.
Is this not what all fathers fear their daughters will do to them?
that it's hard to know where to start.
49
Charles,
I understand your emphasis on Montana's father in this snippet. Granted, he is the famous parent in the case. But, I wonder what her mother has to say? I am curious if she is still involved with Mr. Fishburne and her daughter for that matter? It could factor into her choice in making this film.
BTW, you refer to the actor, Larry Fishburne. Indeed, during his time filming "Apocalypse Now", he was called that name. I believe he now refers to himself as Laurence Fishburne. Just some an FYI.
I understand your emphasis on Montana's father in this snippet. Granted, he is the famous parent in the case. But, I wonder what her mother has to say? I am curious if she is still involved with Mr. Fishburne and her daughter for that matter? It could factor into her choice in making this film.
BTW, you refer to the actor, Larry Fishburne. Indeed, during his time filming "Apocalypse Now", he was called that name. I believe he now refers to himself as Laurence Fishburne. Just some an FYI.
50
@35 - Is that true? That is obscure, out of nowhere reference and somehow specifically appropriate. It would be some sort of cosmic alignment type shit if it were true.
52
She was hoping that a film showing her getting fucked silly would kick start her Hollywood career ? Wow... Aim high, Montana.
56
The problem I see isn't really that she is doing porn but that she is using his name to sell it. Clearly capitalizing on his name is meant to tie him to it and embarrass him. Also, she made her announcement on his birthday (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000401/).
57
The daughter did this to the father. She committed the ultimate betrayal.
-- Mudede's so-called reasoning is frighteningly similar to that of fathers who support so-called honor killings of their errant daughters.
(Personally, I believe the ultimate betrayal of the father-daughter bond is rape, not embarrassment. Guess Mudede feels fathers can do whatever they want.)
-- Mudede's so-called reasoning is frighteningly similar to that of fathers who support so-called honor killings of their errant daughters.
(Personally, I believe the ultimate betrayal of the father-daughter bond is rape, not embarrassment. Guess Mudede feels fathers can do whatever they want.)
58
I wonder how the daughter was affected by her parents divorce. I suspect she doesn't have a good relationship with her father.
59
Fathers don't own a daughter's sexuality. She didn't betray him because she never promised (I assume) that she wouldn't star in porn. If he feels disappointed in the actions of his daughter, having thought she would be above this, then he should blame himself for not having shown her how to make better choices in life. If anything--if this is really a serious issue, although I don't think it is--then it's a matter of a father having failed his daughter. He should be breaking up with himself.
And no one is making him or his friends watch the porn. They're not passive victims in this--men are not creatures of uncontrollable sexuality that wanders toward every possible outlet, including one with daughters involved. If they don't want to know it exists, no one is going to make them. His indignant reaction is just a way of telling her she's not in charge of her body, but should always be making sexual decisions based on how it would affect other men in her life--because clearly they matter more than her own self. How would men feel if this were the same expectation placed on them? What if your mother made the calls on what your dick went into?
And no one is making him or his friends watch the porn. They're not passive victims in this--men are not creatures of uncontrollable sexuality that wanders toward every possible outlet, including one with daughters involved. If they don't want to know it exists, no one is going to make them. His indignant reaction is just a way of telling her she's not in charge of her body, but should always be making sexual decisions based on how it would affect other men in her life--because clearly they matter more than her own self. How would men feel if this were the same expectation placed on them? What if your mother made the calls on what your dick went into?
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Hating People Doesn't Make Them Thinner by Jen Graves
-
Los Angeles Gay Bar Bans Bachelorette Parties Until Marriage Equality Is Attained by David Schmader
-
Fill in the Blank by Grant Brissey
-
This Reminds Me of the Great Calculator Scare of the Late '70s/Early '80s by David Schmader
-
Idiot Tries to Defend Bigoted Anti-Gay-Marriage Preacher on Anderson Cooper by Paul Constant
-
Six Moms with Too Much Time on Their Hands and a Shitty Website Decide to Fight Gay Superheroes by Paul Constant
-
The Saturday Morning News by Unpaid Intern
-
Why Mayor McGinn's Wife Canceled Her Family's Seattle Times Subscription by Eli Sanders
-
What the Hell Is Wrong With Seattle's Pride Parade? by Dominic Holden
-
NYC Man Ticketed for Not Riding in the Bike Lane by Jonathan Golob
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (59) RSS