This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/526306-ardern-christchurch-mosque-shooting-film/
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Film about New Zealand mosque shootings that focuses on PM Jacinda Ardern faces boycott & accusations of ‘white saviorism’ | Film about New Zealand mosque shootings that focuses on PM Jacinda Ardern faces boycott & accusations of ‘white saviorism’ |
| (3 months later) | |
| Plans for a film that will tout New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern’s leadership in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings have met resistance from pundits and the Muslim community. Ardern has distanced herself from the project. | Plans for a film that will tout New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern’s leadership in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings have met resistance from pundits and the Muslim community. Ardern has distanced herself from the project. |
| The film, titled ‘They Are Us’, is set in March 2019, in the days following the deadly attack on two mosques carried out by white supremacist Brenton Tarrant. The convicted terrorist killed 51 people in the attack, making it the bloodiest mass shooting in New Zealand’s history. | The film, titled ‘They Are Us’, is set in March 2019, in the days following the deadly attack on two mosques carried out by white supremacist Brenton Tarrant. The convicted terrorist killed 51 people in the attack, making it the bloodiest mass shooting in New Zealand’s history. |
| But the script’s protagonist isn’t a first responder or survivor of the tragedy. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film will primarily revolve around Ardern, showing how the prime minister rallied the nation, and pushed through an assault rifle ban, following the horrific shootings. The title of the movie is inspired by a speech that the prime minister gave in response to the attack. Ardern will be played by Australian actress Rose Byrne. | But the script’s protagonist isn’t a first responder or survivor of the tragedy. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film will primarily revolve around Ardern, showing how the prime minister rallied the nation, and pushed through an assault rifle ban, following the horrific shootings. The title of the movie is inspired by a speech that the prime minister gave in response to the attack. Ardern will be played by Australian actress Rose Byrne. |
| Glen Basner of FilmNation Entertainment, which will be looking for international backers for the film at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival, said that the script tells an “inspiring story” about how “a strong leader” can change lives when they “work from a place of compassion, love and an unwavering conviction to do what is right.” | Glen Basner of FilmNation Entertainment, which will be looking for international backers for the film at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival, said that the script tells an “inspiring story” about how “a strong leader” can change lives when they “work from a place of compassion, love and an unwavering conviction to do what is right.” |
| But film’s subject matter was met with disbelief and anger by members of Christchurch’s Muslim community. | But film’s subject matter was met with disbelief and anger by members of Christchurch’s Muslim community. |
| Tony Green, a member of one of the Christchurch mosques that was attacked who acted as a media spokesperson for the Muslim community following the shootings, said that he and others were “blindsided” by news about the film’s production. | Tony Green, a member of one of the Christchurch mosques that was attacked who acted as a media spokesperson for the Muslim community following the shootings, said that he and others were “blindsided” by news about the film’s production. |
| The sister of one of the victim’s of the shootings told New Zealand media that she learned about the film on Twitter, adding that “it seems like it’s just capitalizing” on the tragedy. She said that she doesn’t think that the movie will be well received in New Zealand. | The sister of one of the victim’s of the shootings told New Zealand media that she learned about the film on Twitter, adding that “it seems like it’s just capitalizing” on the tragedy. She said that she doesn’t think that the movie will be well received in New Zealand. |
| The Christchurch Muslim Association echoed similar concerns. | The Christchurch Muslim Association echoed similar concerns. |
| “There are still many sensitivities around the tragic events of March 15 and although recognition of our prime minister for her response to attacks is well deserved, we question the timing and whether a movie is appropriate right now,” spokesperson Abdigani Ali said. | “There are still many sensitivities around the tragic events of March 15 and although recognition of our prime minister for her response to attacks is well deserved, we question the timing and whether a movie is appropriate right now,” spokesperson Abdigani Ali said. |
| The controversial film caused many New Zealanders to vent their anger online, prompting the hashtag ‘#TheyAreUsShutdown’ to trend in the country. Within hours, a petition was created that called on Ardern to “strongly denounce the film” and reassure the public that the government is not supporting its production. | The controversial film caused many New Zealanders to vent their anger online, prompting the hashtag ‘#TheyAreUsShutdown’ to trend in the country. Within hours, a petition was created that called on Ardern to “strongly denounce the film” and reassure the public that the government is not supporting its production. |
| Observers on social media denounced the film as an example of “white supremacy” and “white saviorism.” | Observers on social media denounced the film as an example of “white supremacy” and “white saviorism.” |
| The New Zealand producer behind the film, Philippa Campbell, insisted that the script “illustrates the reality that there were a host of heroes during that week, including the PM, members of the two mosques and citizens of Christchurch.” | The New Zealand producer behind the film, Philippa Campbell, insisted that the script “illustrates the reality that there were a host of heroes during that week, including the PM, members of the two mosques and citizens of Christchurch.” |
| The furor over the planned film prompted Ardern to issue a statement making it clear that she had nothing to do with its production. “The prime minister and the government have no involvement in the film,” a spokesperson for the New Zealand leader said. | The furor over the planned film prompted Ardern to issue a statement making it clear that she had nothing to do with its production. “The prime minister and the government have no involvement in the film,” a spokesperson for the New Zealand leader said. |
| The film’s producers are still pushing ahead with the project, but have said they will consider donating profits to survivors and efforts to combat terrorism. | The film’s producers are still pushing ahead with the project, but have said they will consider donating profits to survivors and efforts to combat terrorism. |
| Like this story? Share it with a friend! | Like this story? Share it with a friend! |
| Dear readers and commenters, | |
| We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system. | |
| Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments, | |
| RT Team. |