'Breaking Dawn' Causing Seizures

Jarett Wieselman

November 25, 2011

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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 is a runaway hit, but a few people have been rushed to the hospital by paramedics after suffering seizures during Bella's graphic birth scene.

For the three of you who haven't seen the movie or read the book, Bella's human body can't handle Edward's vampire seed but refuses to abort the baby so she gets thinner and frailer until her water breaks, kicking off one of the most violent birth scenes in film history as her betrothed is required to gnaw the child from her womb.

California resident Brandon Gephart was found "convulsing, snorting, trying to breathe" in his seat according to girlfriend Kelly Bauman. "He scared me big time," she told CBS Sacramento.

Another man, in Salt Lake City, suffered a seizure that led him to black out in the middle of the movie. "I didn't really remember what happened after that," he said. "I think I blacked out. According to [my wife] I was shaking and mumbling different noises." His wife added, "I was kneeling in front of him and slapping his face."

Both men are now fine, but say they have no desire to return to Breaking Dawn and see how the movie ends.

According to medical experts, who spoke with CBS Sacramento, the red, white and black imagery that flashes quickly during the scene could trigger photosensitive epilepsy. "It's like a light going off because it hits your brain all at once," Dr. Michael G. Chez says. "The trouble with theaters is that they're so dark, the light flashing in there is more like a strobe light."


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