The film-makers proposed to focus on Ardernâs response in the aftermath of the attack, which immediately drew backlash for centring the story on the leadership of a white woman. Many Muslim New Zealanders criticised the move as âexploitativeâ, âinsensitiveâ, and âobsceneâ.
The filmâs announcement also triggered an online petition which received nearly 75,000 signatures and compelled the filmâs producer, Philippa Campbell, to resign from the project.
The 124-page script, written by New Zealand-born Andrew Niccol, was leaked to Newshub on Sunday.
Earlier this year, Niccol told the Hollywood Reporter that âThey Are Us is not so much about the attack but the response to the attack ⦠how an unprecedented act of hate was overcome by an outpouring of love and support.â
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