Austin Parks Foundation Cancels Tonight's Napoleon Dynamite Screening

If you were planning to attend tonight's outdoor screening of Napoleon Dynamite in Republic Square Park, never mind. The event has been canceled because, according to the statement released by the Austin Parks Foundation, "a number of people contacted us objecting to a word used by actors in the movie." The Parks foundations apologizes for the last-minute cancellation as well as for offending anyone.

Considering that Strange Brew and Ghostbusters have been shown in the past without incident, and the Parks Foundation will show Dazed and Confused (which is rated R) on June 7, this is a little surprising. Our best guess is that the word in question is "retarded" -- groups like the Special Olympics and the National Down Syndrome Society have objected to it being used in several movies over the last few years, including Napoleon Dynamite and Tropic Thunder.

Another film will be shown next month to make up for Napoleon being pulled. Check the Parks Foundation website for more details.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By cmoore in Arts & Entertainment on May 25, 2011 10:30 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Wes

I am offended that they cancelled it. Retards.

Haz Class

There better be a whole mess of retards at whatever they show to make up for this cancellation.

Hipstercrite

this is comical because the filmmakers are mormon and made sure not to put any offensive wording in the movie.

savagenation

oh, sure, blame the Mormons now. ;-P

thbt

I've intentionally been using "retarded" more than I used to ever since I
became aware of the retarded campaign to stop people from using it.
It's a foolish attempt to alter the common lexicon in order to pander to
the demands of overprotective parents who haven't learned to accept the
reality of their children's conditions and are instead trying to blame
society.

savagenation

I know, this is SO RETARDED!

The problem is the Gubbament employees and a few whiners ruin it for everyone else. Every truly physically/mentally challenged person I've met (some of whom were geniuses at UC Berkeley) would laugh at or ignore these issues and be offended that Big Sis thinks they're so weak they need the Gubbament to stand up for them.

Susan

This is a losing battle. Previous words for mentally disabled people
that have been stolen by the public to insult others have included "idiot" and "moron" rendering them unacceptable to describe people with actual conditions. The word "dumb" is no longer used to describe those who cannot speak, as well. The problem is not with the words used, the problem is attitudes of the able-minded. The word "special" and phrases like "differently gifted" are already picking up steam in place of the r-word. I don't think reacting to the use of "retarded" will ever change those attitudes. Banning the screening of the movie might bring awareness, but it won't increase sensitivity, which is the real issue.

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Brian Kelley

Let this guy know what you think of his censorship: cmccabe AT austinparks DOT org
Also. DO NOT "Like" that dumb Facebook page. This is clearly Austin Parks Foundation decision NOT Alamo Drafthouse. Anyone with a brain realizes Alamo has their hands tied on this one. if APF says "you cannot setup and show your movie here tonight", there's nothing they can do.