Concerns over plans for film on shootings

WELLINGTON: The Muslim Association of Canterbury is questioning whether it is an appropriate time for a film to be made about the Christchurch mosque attacks.

Many Muslims voiced objections yesterday over news of a film about the March 15, 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in which a gunman killed 51 people, saying the attack was still too raw for grieving families and their community.

The film, titled They Are Us,

will focus on the response by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to the attacks on two mosques by a white supremacist, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The title is drawn from Ms Ardern’s words on that day.

‘‘There are still many sensitivities around the tragic events,’’ Muslim Association of Canterbury spokesman Abdigani Ali said in a statement.

‘‘Although recognition of our prime minister for her response to attacks is well deserved, we question the timing and whether a movie is appropriate right now.

‘‘The terrorist attack is still raw for our community.’’

He said the producers needed to ensure they had read the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attacks, and to understand that New Zealand’s intelligence agencies had an exclusive focus on a terrorist threat from the Muslim community before the attacks.

‘‘We do recognise that the March 15th story will need to be told, but we would want to ensure that it’s done in an appropriate, authentic and sensitive manner.’’

He said there was still a lot of work to be done in New Zealand in terms of hate speech laws, recognising Islamophobia and institutional prejudice before a blockbuster comes out stating what a great job had been done in New Zealand.

Australian actress Rose Byrne is set to play Ms Ardern in the film and New Zealander Andrew Niccol would write and direct it,

Hollywood Reporter said.

They Are Us was not so much about the attack but the response to it, Niccol was quoted as telling the Hollywood Reporter, which described the film an ‘‘inspirational story about the young leader’s response to the tragic events’’.

But some Muslims questioned that focus.

‘‘This is not an inspiring story,’’ Mohamed Hassan, an Auckland journalist and poet, said in a commentary broadcast on RNZ.

‘‘It is a tragedy, one that must always be centred around the Muslim victims and their families. Noone else.’’

Production will take place in New Zealand using a script developed in consultation with members of the mosques affected by the tragedy, the Hollywood Reporter said.

Gamal Fouda, imam of the Al Noor mosque, one of the two mosques targeted in the attacks, said after the attacks he and others in the community were approached by several people interested in making a film about the attacks.

He said if the film went ahead he hoped it would stick to the facts and focus on peace and love.

‘‘It is important the movie is going to reflect the facts and what actually happened, rather than sending confusing messages.

He said he wanted it to focus on peace and love, the connection and conclusion and contribute to something positive.

‘‘But if they are actually going to confuse people and send confusing messages then I think it is not going to be something professional and not accepted.’’

He said the Muslim community in Christchurch was diverse and would have diverse feelings about the prospect of a film about the attacks.

Mr Ali said the film could be a chance to raise attention to the issue of Islamophobia.

‘‘Extremism has no religion, or faith, colour or ethnicity.

‘‘It is important to stress this fact. Extremism is not Christian, or Jewish or Muslim.

‘‘It is about criminals, and those criminals should be referred to as criminals only, without their faith or ethnicity.’’

Ms Ardern has distanced herself from the project, her office saying she and the Government have no involvement with it.

#TheyAreUsShutDown was trending on Twitter in New Zealand.

❛ It is a tragedy, one that must always be centred around the Muslim victims and their families. Noone else