Lena Dunham is adapting a story about a Syrian refugee – and some people aren’t happy
People aren’t happy after Lena Dunham was named the writer of an upcoming film adaptation of a remarkable story about a Syrian refugee.
Many on social media condemned the hiring of Dunham to adapt the book A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea: One Refugee’s Incredible Story of Love, Loss, and Survival after Variety reported her involvement with the project Monday, with some contending she’s not qualified for the job.
The film tells the story of a mother who is stranded at sea with her two young children after fleeing her nation amid war in an effort to reach Europe.
“Hmm, do you think maybe you aren’t the right person to tell the story of a Syrian refugee?” one Twitter user named Jeff Heffernan wrote to Dunham. “I’m calling the over/under for you dropping out of this project after getting roasted on Twitter at 3.5 days.”
Another person appeared to use sarcasm in response to the news, tweeting, “Nice one, Lena! You have such a depth of experience to draw from to tell this story. I can’t think of anyone more qualified.”
Writer Nasri Atallah, meanwhile, urged the Girls creator, 32, to involve real-life refugees and people from Syria in making the project.
“Can I respectfully suggest that if this project happens, you involve as many Syrians and refugees as possible in the making of it?” he tweeted. “You have a huge platform to get stories out, but I think it would be a sign of good faith to include the people whose story you are telling.”
J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg will serve as producers on the movie, according to Variety. The project is based on the 2017 non-fiction book by Melissa Fleming.
Dunham shared her excitement for the adaptation on Monday.
“Very lucky to have this job, to tell this story, to support this truth with these people,” she tweeted.