New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern Criticises Christchurch Massacre Film Project
NZ PM Jacinda Ardern criticizes upcoming Christchurch Massacre film: “It feels very soon and very raw. And while there are many stories that should be told at some point, I don’t consider mine to be one of them.”
A producer has also exited the project.
(https://t.co/0JfUWHIk2z) pic.twitter.com/Hut1fQzHEF
- Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) June 14, 2021
- Since being announced last Thursday (10th) the Rose Byrne-led film about Ardern’s response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque massacre has been widely criticized in New Zealand.
- Today, veteran producer Philippa Campbell, a producer on TV hit 'Top Of The Lake', apologised for her involvement and said she had not realized the pain the film would cause.
- “I have listened to the concerns raised over recent days and I have heard the strength of people’s views,” Campbell said in a statement to New Zealand media. “I now agree that the events of 15 March 2019 are too raw for film at this time and do not wish to be involved with a project that is causing such distress.”
- New Zealand’s Prime Minister today criticized the project as poorly timed and focused on the wrong subject.
- “In my view, which is a personal view, it feels very soon and very raw for New Zealand,” she told local media TVNZ. “And while there are so many stories that should be told at some point, I don’t consider mine to be one of them.”
- A petition from the National Islamic Youth Association calling for the movie to be cancelled has gathered close to 60,000 signatures, arguing the film would marginalize “the victims and survivors and instead centres the response of a white woman”.
- Lianne Dalziel, the Mayor of Christchurch, where the attacks took place, also said movie crews would not be welcome in her city.
- “I’m just so outraged that they even think that this is an appropriate thing to do,” she told news outlet RNZ.