In Christchurch, New Zealand, a gunman attacked two mosques during Friday prayers on March 15, 2019, and left 51 people dead. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern rose to the occasion with a compassionate response – she said “They Are Us”, referring to the victims and the bereaved families. Hollywood has now announced a film on this tragic episode, focusing largely on Ardern’s part in it. The filmmaker wants to highlight “our common humanity”. But the Muslim community in New Zealand is angry and has demanded the project be scrapped. The PM has distanced herself, saying she was not consulted. [https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jacinda-ardern-gives-statement-christchurch-terror-attack-film]

The massacre is significant in the debates on ‘Islamic terrorism’, ‘islamophobia’ and the rise of the far right. A film on it should provide an opportunity to discuss these crucial issues. But Muslims feel it would only exploit their trauma – what is called in American debates ‘cultural appropriation’. They also object to projecting the white people as saviors of others in trouble, where as it was one (or few) of them who had instigated the trouble in the first place. ‘White saviorism’ would be a throwback to the old Hollywood films with colonialist and Orientalist do-gooders. [https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/14/world/asia/christchurch-massacre-movie-jacinda-ardern.html] Muslims appreciate Ardern’s exemplary reaction, but feel the community is being marginalized. Also, their grief is still raw. More than 60,000 of them have signed a petition against the project. [https://www.change.org/p/filmnation-entertainment-shut-down-they-are-us-movie-which-side-lines-victims-of-the-march-15th-terrorist-attack] The mayor of Christchurch has said the film crew won’t be welcome in the city. A producer from New Zealand has walked out. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57465471]

The team behind the film speaks of only praiseworthy intentions. Film director Andrew Niccol, a screenwriter from New Zealand, says, “the film addresses our common humanity, which is why I think it will speak to people around the world … It is an example of how we should respond when there’s an attack on our fellow human beings.” [https://deadline.com/2021/06/rose-byrne-new-zealand-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-they-are-us-cannes-market-1234772989/] There should be nothing wrong in telling the story by highlighting Ardern’s role in it because that was what was talked about around the world. It would also give a recognizable face to the narrative.

Also see:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/23/arts/green-book-interracial-friendship.html