December 20, 2012
The recent tragic shootings of 20 young children and seven adults have renewed discussions about gun control in the United States. Many say the availability of guns, however, is not the only factor that could trigger a deadly act. Though the industry disputes it, some experts say films glorifying violence and video games rewarding death can be equally lethal, especially in the hands of people with mental health issues.
When Chris Nolan’s film The Dark Knight Rises came out in July, the on-screen death and destruction served as the backdrop to a mass shooting during its premiere in Aurora, Colorado. The shooter, 24-year-old James Holmes, had dyed his hair red to resemble the Batman character, “The Joker.” Holmes killed 12 people and wounded 58.
Production of violent films continued after the massacre.
Hollywood violence
One of them, Andrew Dominik’s graphic drama Killing Them Softly, about a hired gun with feelings, was released late November.
The Hollywood premiere this week of Quentin Tarantino’s bloody western Django Unchained was canceled out of respect for those killed in Connecticut, though the movie will be released.
Criminal defense attorney Rene Sandler said on-screen gunfights can inspire real-life shootings.
“The perpetrator becomes a character, takes on the persona of an aggressive, violent individual or superhero, and in Aurora it’s a perfect example of just that,” she said.
Video game carnage
But Sandler said, even more than films, violent video games are at the core of brutal behavior, and she said they should be regulated.
“I have seen clients who have engaged in that interactive video experience where they are killing, where they are using guns, where they are gaining points and winning given the more bodies that they amass. In this country we can ban sugary drinks for children because it’s unhealthy. We have done nothing to stop violent video games for children and adults,” she said.
Sandler said on-screen violence itself is not dangerous. But it can be "weaponized" in the hands of people with mental issues.
Mental health issues
Law enforcement authorities in the Connecticut shooting have said very little about the 20-year-old shooter, Adam Lanza's mental health. But the elementary school attack has raised the issue and many are calling on society to be more vigilant.
A game industry group calls any link between video games and violence a myth. And following the movie theater massacre in July, a movie industry mogul suggested a summit on violence and film, which has not yet been convened.
Still, an Oscar-nominated movie last year, We Need to Talk About Kevin, eerily mirrors the Newtown shooting. The 16-year-old upperclass Kevin goes goes on a killing spree at his high school after murdering his family - the movie raising loaded questions about teen mental health, family breakdown and violence in American society.
-------------------------------------------------