Maurice Sendak Hardcore on Wild Things Fears

Afraid Where the Wild Things Are will be too scary for your tot? The author of the classic children’s book upon which the movie is based has three words for you: “go to hell.”

Maurice Sendak was sitting in on a panel discussion with Newsweek plus the film’s director, Spike Jonze, and screenwriter Dave Eggers when the subject turned to parental concerns.

The book itself, now a classic, was dubbed “too scary and weird for children” when it debuted in 1963, and last year there was talk that the film version was being reshot to make for a more kid-friendly flick.

But fear is supposed to be part of this movie. Just check out the tagline: “Inside all of us is hope. Inside all of us is fear.” And let’s not forget the book that started it all - a story of facing monsters only to end up safe and sound in our own bedroom with supper waiting for us. Teaching kids to befriend their monsters in a literal sense, it’s more figurative interpretation is (to borrow a phrase from an old president) that there is nothing to fear . . . except fear itself.

In honor of fears faced and fears overcome, we’re with Sendak: “I would tell them to go to hell. That’s a question I will not tolerate . . . If they can’t handle it, go home . . . Do whatever you like, but it’s not a question that can be answered.”

Image: videogum

Via Page Six

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Tags: Dave Eggers, fears, Jeanne Sager, Maurice Sendak, Movies, scary movies, Spike Jonze, where the wild things are