Does 'Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1' Birth Scene Cause Seizures?
"The Twilight Saga" movies have taken heat for a lot of things with being insipid, melodramatic and a poor representation of vampire lore just to name a few.
Now, the latest installment in the franchise which is "Breaking Dawn Part 1" is being scrutinized for possibly causing seizures. These are not reactions to seeing Jacob shirtless or the honeymoon scene between Bella and Edward.
There are two reports circulating of moviegoers experiencing adverse health effects during the film's birth scene which is described by viewers as graphic.
CBS News' Sacramento station reports that one man was viewing the film with his girlfriend when he began to convulse during the birthing scene. The Roseville, California man only remembers waking up on the theater's floor. According to his girlfriend, he will not be asked to see any more "Twilight" films.
His girlfriend recalls being scared big time as her boyfriend was convulsing, snorting and trying to breathe. Another man in Utah, who declined to be identified, told ABC's Salt Lake City station a similar report.
According to the man's wife, he began shaking and mumbling different noises although he does not remember what happened. The wife says she found herself kneeling in front of him, slapping him in the face.
The bright, flashing lights during the birth scene are being determined as the possible cause for the health scares. A physician specializing in pediatric neurology and epilepsy told CBS' Sacramento affiliate that an episode of photosensitive epilepsy can be brought on by flashing red lights in those who are genetically predisposed but emphasizes that it is a rare condition.
The birth scene in the film is very intense. Not only does the scene involve a great deal of blood, but the colors red, black and white flash on the screen throughout the scene. Dr. Michael G. Chez, the medical director of pediatric neurology and epilepsy for Sutter Sacramento believes that the colors in the scene could be the cause of the epileptic episodes.
"It's like a light switch going off, because it hits your brain all at once," Chez stated. Epileptic seizures can be very intense and the birth scene in the film could even trigger someone that is not used to having them which makes it even scarier.