Gulshan Lawyer
Auckland, June 13, 2021
Australian actress Rose Byrne (left) tipped Jacinda Ardern in ‘They are Us. (Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
Recent news of the intended Hollywood production ‘#TheyAreUs‘, spotlighting the Christchurch terror attack that occurred on March 15, 2019, has gone down like a cup of cold sick for several New Zealanders.
News of the upcoming film has been met with overwhelming disappointment.
New Zealanders have spoken and declared their verdict on this commercial production that seeks to focus on the response, in the aftermath of the tragic events of the day that witnessed the killing of 51 lives.
Crass Commercialism
While writer and director Andrew Niccol defends the movie as “a focus on #JacindaArdern setting an example of leadership,” Kiwis by and large consider a Hollywood spin-off, depicting real-life tragedy while our nation still grieves, as an act of crass commercialism.
The ensuing kerfuffle has inadvertently laid bare our collective souls and our strong belief in upholding our human values and the dignity of our grieving communities.
It is vital to provide a safe personal and physical space for people to heal and cope with loss. Unleashing a commercial venture within this environment would demonstrate gross insensitivity and disrespect.
A clear and loud message
The cumulative message is loud and clear.
As New Zealanders, we strongly support creative #cinematography.
However, we do draw a line on opportunistic cinematography and the commercialisation of human tragedy.
At the last count, a petition to shut down the film has collected over 30,000 signatures.
Gulshan Lawyer is a Communications, Marketing and Stakeholder Relations Specialist. She lives in Auckland.
