Netflix to remove footage of real-life Canadian rail disaster from Bird Box
Netflix original movie Bird Box faced a lot of backlash on the social media for featuring the real-life Canadian rail disaster in the movie. The Sandra Bullock-starring film, directed by Susanne Bier, featured a stock footage from 2013 Lac-Megantic tragedy that claimed lives of over 40 people. It was used to depict a fictional news story about an apocalyptic scenario.
In a brief statement to The Wrap, the streaming giant confirmed that it has decided to replace the clip.
"Netflix and the filmmakers of 'Bird Box' have decided to replace the clip. We're sorry for any pain caused to the Lac-Megantic community," the statement said.
Netflix had earlier refused to remove the footage from the film after the controversy happened in January. The Canadian Parliament had also voted unanimously, criticising Netflix and demanding removal of the images from "its fiction catalogue".
The country's lawmakers also asked for compensation for the citizens of Lac-Megantic, Quebec.
The footage from the tragedy appeared in an episode of another Netflix show called Travelers, but the production company behind that show swiftly removed and replaced the video.
(With PTI Inputs)
