A non-binding motion condemning Netflix producers for using clip of 2013 Lac-Megantic rail disaster in the thriller has received unanimously votes from members of Canada's House of Commons.
- Feb 1, 2019
AceShowbiz - Members of the Canadian Parliament are demanding Netflix officials pay compensation to the people of Quebec for distress caused by using footage of a real-life rail disaster in "Bird Box".
Sandra Bullock's post-apocalyptic drama has become a huge hit since its release on the streaming service in December (18), but in mid-January, it was reported that video clips of a 2013 train tragedy, in which 47 people were killed, had been used for the movie.
The revelation caused an uproar in Canada, and Julie Morin, the mayor of Lac-Megantic, where the accident occurred, called on Netflix bosses to pull the footage from the film.
"We are looking for assurances from Netflix that they are going to remove (the footage)," she told The Canadian Press. "You can be sure we are going to follow up on this, and our citizens are on our side."
"It's hard enough for our citizens to see these images when they are used normally and respectfully on the news. Just imagine, to have them used as fiction, as if they were invented."
Now members of Canada's House of Commons have unanimously voted to pass a non-binding motion condemning Netflix producers for their actions, and seeking the clip's official removal from "its fiction catalogue", reports The Associated Press.
They also want compensation for those affected by the tragedy's use onscreen.
"Netflix: Remove those images. This is not entertainment," tweeted Pierre Nantel, a member of the New Democrat party who introduced the motion in parliament last week, ends January 25.
Netflix chiefs have yet to comment on the demand, but it's not the first time the stock footage has been used by the company, after licensing it from representatives at third party, Pond 5.
According to reports, scenes from the aftermath of the train disaster also featured in a show called "Travelers", which was subsequently removed.
