After Donald Trump’s recent victory of winning the 2024 presidential election, debates over what books should be allowed in schools and libraries are escalating to a boiling point. An increasing number of states are creating laws that restrict access to certain reads, and many adaptations of these same books into films could soon face new levels of controversy.
With more and more books being banned in the U.S., it’s led to many arguments about various topics. Freedom of expression, cultural representation, and education to name a few…Worse, books about LGBTQ+ people and people of color are among the most targeted.
Now, with many different opinions, films that once inspired audiences are becoming the next big battleground. As these adaptations continue to be watched, they may find themselves targeted by the same forces that are working to restrict the books they were based on.
Let’s take a closer look at a few film adaptations and how their stories are challenging the audiences.
The Hate U Give
Written by Angie Thomas, adapted by Audrey Wells
One of the most talked about books in recent years, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas has faced many attempts to be banned in U.S. schools and libraries. The novel features a young African American girl who witnesses a police shooting of her best friend, exploring themes of police brutality, racial injustices, and the powers of activism. The film adaptation addressed these important issues, and urged audiences to confront the difficult truths of society. For some, it’s a call to action, but for others, its portrayal of police violence and racial tension is threatening. The Hate U Give is a clear example of how a story, once a necessary conversation starter, can quickly become a battleground for clashing cultural perspectives.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Written by Margaret Atwood, adapted by Bruce Miller
The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood explores dystopian themes being set in an oppressive society where women’s rights simply do not exist. As issues of women’s rights, reproductive freedom, and government control become contemporary, this book remains relevant. Although, its provocative content enhanced backlash, as some view it as a dark, over exaggerated portrayal of societal systems, thus promoting extremist ideas. The novel has already seen numerous bans in the U.S., and the adapted television series could soon face a similar fate. As The Handmaid’s Tale continues to relate to common themes in the U.S., like issues of gender, power, and freedom, it’s obvious that both the novel and its screen adaptation will remain at a discussion of what stories are acceptable, and who gets to decide.
Harry Potter
Written by J.K. Rowling, adapted by Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, and David Yates
The Harry Potter film adaptations were consistently successful over the years as each new one was released. Not only were they successful, but they actually helped the franchise become more important and demonstrated how the idea of banning books, and possibly movies, can be quite complicated. The Harry Potter series continues to be challenged for occultist and satanist ideas, violence, anti-religious views, and a multitude of other reasons. On the other hand, in recent years the Harry Potter franchise faced a new kind of controversy, with author J.K Rowling making negative comments, mostly targeting the transgender community. Her comments made on social media have led to debates about gender and identity. Some argue that Rowling's views contribute to the marginalization of transgender people, while others defend her, claiming she is entitled to share her perspective on gender. Despite this backlash, the Harry Potter franchise has remained popular. Taking all of these criticisms into account, the books and movies have continued to be a powerful force in pop culture. The film adaptations that spanned over the early to mid 2000s helped keep the conversation going about the books alive, even for people who weren’t in agreement. This proves that adaptations of banned books can still be a powerful tool for storytelling, bringing controversial ideas to a larger audience, thus sparking important conversations and debates.
The Color Purple
Written by Alice Walker, Adapted by Steven Spielberg (1985) and Marcus Gardley (2023)
The Color Purple has been faced by many bans in various schools due to its exploration of racism, sexism, and sexual violence. Yet, despite these bans the novel was adapted for the screen twice. Similarly to the book, these adaptations faced numerous criticisms and censorship, drawing attention to the tension between artistic expression and social conservatism. As censorship continues to occur, we must remember that challenging stories, whether through books or film, are necessary for understanding the human experience, whether it’s positive or negative.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Written and Adapted by Stephen Chbosky
Young adult reads seems to be the common denominator for many book bans. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, seems to fall right under this category. Challenged for its sensitive topics, including sexuality, substance abuse, mental health, and exploration of identity, Chbosky himself has faced much criticism for his depiction of sensitive topics, on paper and on screen.
Here are the links to the trailers for these adaptations:
The Hate U Give: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MM8OkVT0hw
The Handmaid's Tale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81PyH5TH-NQ
Harry Potter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyHV0BRtdxo
The Color Purple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPwzBUui1GA
Perks of Being a Wallflower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5rh7O4IDc0
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