Lawmaker Fighting "Nontraditional" Family Films

A Florida state representative has injected a controversial adendum to a pending measure that would otherwise mean a $75 million incentive package to persuade movie producers to shoot in the Sunshine State. These kinds of deals and tax breaks are all over the US now, but this one's different in one critical way. Sounds great, right? Good deal for Florida, good deal for filmmakers. Here's the other shoe: The representative, Stephen Precourt, wants it mandated that the films taking the money can't promote "nontraditional family values." "Think of it as like Mayberry," Precourt told The Palm Beach Post. "That's when I grew up — the '60s. That's what life was like. I want Florida to be known for making those kinds of movies: Disney movies for kids and all that stuff. Like it used to be, you know?" The trouble is, that's not how life is, exactly, and some critics of the new language in the bill say that it is legalized discrimination. If it were your money or my money, we could set it up any way we like, but I'm not sure what the Florida law says about that kind of thing, especially when the law invites interpretation. Precourt says "nontraditional family values" didn't specifically mean homosexuality, but added, "That would not be the kind of thing I’d say that we want to invest public dollars in.” Florida already has some "family friendly" considerations for its film productions, and the head of the state film office says this only muddies the water. What does the bill actually say? Read on...

"A certified production determined by the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment, with the advice of the Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council, to be family-friendly…Family-friendly productions are those that have cross-generational appeal; would be considered suitable for viewing by children age 5 or older…and do not exhibit or imply any act of smoking, sex, nudity, nontraditional family values, gratuitous violence, or vulgar or profane language. Under the current incentive program, review of the final release version is not required and nontraditional family values, gratuitous violence, and implied acts do not exclude a film from receiving this additional credit."

You can read that as not singling out gay marriage or even gay adoption, but then, you're not Florida governor Charlie Christ: "Let me define it in the positive...A traditional family is a marriage between a man and a woman. That's traditional." Oh, well, there you go, then. Opponents of the measure are parsing the language saying that until it can be specified, it has not place in law. And again, the people responsible for ruling whether or no a film meets these standards don't want and can't define the meaning of "nontraditional family values," either. But let's go with gay marriage.

Comments

[Emo]

For any state to give preferential treatment to one film over another...is a bad idea. It's yet another way to try to legislate morality....which shouldn't be done. And this coming from a "traditional family" guy.

[Eva]

These people do realize that even freakin' Snow White was about a nontraditional family arrangement, yes? Or is it okay so long as the stepmother is wicked?

[Hello There]

Sounds to me that only the really really clean movies would be approved.

[Jason]

This is the problem with using taxpayer money for private enterprise. Since it is public money, the public through their elected representatives have every right to not want their money spent on things that are offensive to them. After all, the great thing about free enterprise is your right to choose to patronize whatever businesses you want. I am not offended that the representatives of Florida want to choose what movies to fund, I am offended that they want to spend taxpayers money on ANY movies.
Just like I wasn't so much offended that the "artist" puts a crucifix in a jar of his urine, but that taxpayer money went to subsidize him.

[Get The Big Picture]

Well, I don't think it should come down to that, otherwise no company should get a tax break for moving their business into a new area in an effort to spur job growth. That's really why states want movie productions: Because they mean a lot of money to the local economy. I'm just not sure this is any different than a student being denied a scholarship at a public university because he's gay or because he's writing a thesis on "nontraditional" culture.

Also, I wish more people had noticed or mentioned that they noticed that the picture above is of Kim Jong Il and his "traditional" family.

[wtf]

I actually thought that the picture was supposed to show that Asians are a "non-traditional family" and that only Whites are allowed to be filmed.

[Tina]

I agree to some extent that movies need to be cleaned up and more family-friendly. I think of all the great B&W movies on AMC and TCM and how they do not have sex scenes, nudity, extreme violence, or foul language and they are still great movies. The movies of today have very little to offer story-wise and use so many special effects to try to make up for a lack of good story lines. I really don't think there is anything such as a "traditional family" anymore. And they really should cut down on the smoking in movies because it is not okay. I am not a prude but I do think there should be more movies that families can watch together without parents wondering what kind of scenes are coming up that they need to shield their children from. Hollywood has pushed the limits for so long that nothing has been held back anymore. Even basic cable has some really racy shows that need to end.

[A concerned tax payer]

I understand where he is coming from. It is not to target a particular group but to clean up these movies. When you have to watch a movie and the camera actually takes you in bed with the actors, Personally, I think that is a problem. They have crossed a line. You can't even enjoy a movie anymore without sex, nudity, more sex and more nudity. It is a shame. It would be great to have more family friendly movies in this great state of ours! Movies you can enjoy, no matter who is watching with you!

If people want to watch the other stuff, that is their business. This is not about them not getting to watch what they enjoy, it is about getting MORE family friendly movies. It would be a nice addition to our #1 Family Vacation Destination.