The producers of the film based on the deadly Christchurch mosque attacks titled They are Us plan to conduct more consultation negotiations with all the victims and their families regarding the fateful day.
The movie received backlash from community members and leaders for pushing the ‘white saviour’ narrative.
The movie’s narration was centred around Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s handling of the violent attack in March 2019, in which 51 Muslims lost their lives. Ardern will be played by Australian actor Rose Byrne.
Ardern, whose compassionate response to the shootings was praised globally told The Guardian, “There are plenty of stories from March 15 that could be told, but I don’t consider mine to be one of them.”
One of the producer's of the film Philippa Campbell exited from the project in early June after listening to the concerns raised by leaders of Muslim groups, CNN reported. Campbell said events of the shootings are "too raw for a film at this time" and she does "not wish to be involved with a project that is causing such distress."
National Islamic Youth Association of New Zealand started a petition to halt the project on June 12, which collected over 60,000 signatures.
The production teams efforts to gather more data to create a more authentic narrative would be facilitated by the Canterbury Muslim Association.
A spokesman for the Canterbury Muslim Association, Abdigani Ali, said, "After consultation, the producers shared the film's synopsis and listened to our concerns.
The project is being helmed by New Zealand writer-director Andrew Niccol and being produced by Ayman Jamal.
