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meadowlander

(4,358 posts)
Sun Jun 13, 2021, 04:01 PM Jun 2021

Families of Christchurch mosque shooting protest Hollywood film that makes it all about Jacinda

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-mosque-attack-movie-jacinda-ardern-says-they-are-us-too-soon-too-raw-for-nz/NV3OMYIREPR2OET6YLYX6N7QL4/

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/125426510/family-of-christchurch-mosque-attack-victim-writes-open-letter-to-hollywood-actress-rose-byrne-to-refuse-her-role

I'm a bit torn on this one. I think Jacinda Ardern's (and New Zealand in general's) response to the mosque shootings was exemplary and should be held up and celebrated.

But at the same time we've had enough white saviour complex movies and it is ultimately a story that should be primarily about the victims and their families.

Unbelievable was one of the best films I've seen in the last twenty years because it actually took the time to portray the impact of rape on the victim and didn't give any screen time at all to the perpetrator. It completely upended the standard narrative where at least half the screen time goes to a sexy, scenery-chewing villain. Part of what was so good about NZ's response to the mosque shooting was that the media embargo on the shooter's name and social media. The focus was kept on the pain, suffering and humanity of the victims instead of giving a wider platform to the creepy loser who did it.

It's ultimately down to the skill of the writers and actors but I have a terrible feeling this film is set up to be half-Rose Byrne looking compassionate in a scarf and firing off press releases from her desk and half-Tom Hiddleston packing an ominous black bag, adjusting his body cam, and typing out manifestos and two or three minutes focused on the real heroes of the day - the average people throwing themselves in front of bullets and chasing after a man with a AK-47 to protect each other.

So I don't know that they shouldn't make it, but I do think it's too soon and if they insist on doing a Jacinda-centric version they should wait until after there has been a victim-focused one.

Any thoughts?


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Families of Christchurch mosque shooting protest Hollywood film that makes it all about Jacinda (Original Post) meadowlander Jun 2021 OP
Should have focused on the victims Demovictory9 Jun 2021 #1
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