As a Sri Lankan New Zealander, I know my adopted country can find compassion amid terror theguardian.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theguardian.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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
Thursday, 24 June 2021, 12:18 pm
The Free Speech Union says that Chief Human Rights
Commissioner Paul Hunt wasn’t hired to tell artists what
work they can and can’t produce. He should start defending
human rights, not stand against freedom of
expression.
A spokesperson for the Union, Stephen
Franks says “The Commissioner calls for a proposed film of
the March 15th atrocity to be cancelled due to its potential
to upset members of the Muslim community. A petition to have
the production cancelled has garnered 70,000 signatures but
whether a film is made, or how it is made is absolutely none
of Paul Hunt’s business.”
Community Scoop » Chief Human Rights Commissioner Should Stay In His Lane scoop.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scoop.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.