The Taxpayers’
Union is condemning the prospect of
taxpayer funding for a new film about Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern’s response to the Christchurch mosque
shootings.
It is reported that the production
team intends to apply for a Screen
Production Grant from the New Zealand Film
Commission.
Union spokesman Jordan Williams
says, “If Jacinda Ardern gets the Hollywood treatment
while she’s still an active politician, that looks
suspiciously like propaganda. Taxpayers should not be forced
to fund political propaganda.”
“The Film
Commission needs to update its processes to ensure that
party-political films aren’t eligible for
funding.”
“In fact, if the film is screening
during the 2023 election period, it may cross the line into
election advertising. Remember the infamous ‘Aroha’
posters?”
“There
are other good reasons for the Government to distance
itself from this film. A Hollywood-style film about such a
tragic and recent event will be seen by many as
exploitative. Taxpayers shouldn’t be made complicit in a
production that profits from a community’s
grief.”
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