“Breaking Dawn” Birth Scene Making Audiences Sick

A pivotal scene in "Breaking Dawn pt 1" is the violent birth of Bella and Edward's half-human, half-vampire daughter.  A rather graphic and intense moment in the book, many wondered how it would transfer to the big screen.  The result?  Reports of audience members having seizures.

While there are several reports of people being physically sick at the intensity of of the birth scene, there have been reports that director Bill Condon's artistic style has triggered seizures in several audience members.  In Sacramento, CA, Brandon Gephart began “convulsing, snorting, and trying to breathe”, resulting in 911 being called and Gephart being taken away in an ambulance.

Dr. Michael G. Chez, medical director of pediatric neurology and epilepsy for Sutter Sacramento, has said the light effects of the scene could be triggering photosensitive epilepsy in audience members who are not even aware they are susceptible to such a condition.  The flashing of red, black, and white during the scene, combined with the darkened theater, creates a strobe light effect that has the potential to seriously affect audience members.

via Cinema Blend