World Entertainment News Network said the movie was a shocker for Fanning's fans.

"She has shot child rape scenes and appears semi-naked," the network said.

But it also said the actress' agent, Joy Osbrink, told the New York Daily News, fans shouldn't worry.

"It's not just the rape scene – the whole story is challenging Dakota as an actress. And I've never been so proud of her in my life. I've seen the dailies, and in every scene she gets better and better."

One crew member called the movie "dynamite" because of the scene, and said adult stars would have baulked at some of the situations.

From movie critic Ted Baher:

Today the movie ''Hounddog,'' starring Dakota Fanning, will premier at the Sundance Film Festival. The movie tells the story of a sexually and physically abused young girl who becomes sexually promiscuous.

At the urging of her agent and parents, Dakota appeared semi-naked and filmed a simulated child rape scene. Her agent told the New York Daily News that the role in the movie challenged her as an actress, and ''not just the rape scene ... [but] in every scene she gets better and better.'' Her mother insists that her ''gritty performance'' will win her an Oscar.

Portray the raping of a nine-year-old and win your Oscar.

Or in New York City - do it on stage...

It's just sick! As is a LOT of stuff coming out of Hollywood today... one of the four safe havens for the Diabolical Dagger Society (chapter two)...

In my book MuscleHead Revolution: Overturning Liberalism with Commonsense Thinking I make the clear case that when moral boundaries are obfuscated for the temporal pleasures of the moment - the victimization of children is what happens... and it seems these stories are proving my point. Fight back, get my book, arm yourself with TRUTH and FAITH - and join the Revolution!