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Bird Box: Netflix criticised for using footage from Lac-Megantic rail disaster in horror film
Over 40 people died and dozens of buildings were destroyed in the disaster
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Your support makes all the difference.Netflix has confirmed that stock footage from a real-life rail disaster was used in the film Bird Box.
The streaming service has reportedly said they will not be removing the repurposed clip from Canada’s Lac-Mégantic tragedy, used by director Susanne Bier to depict a fictional apocalyptic scenario in the horror film.
A 74-car freight train transporting crude oil derailed next to the town of Lac-Mégantic in 2013, resulting in the deaths of 47 people and the destruction of dozens of buildings.
The BBC reports that Netflix has previously used footage of the tragedy in the Canadian-American science fiction show Travellers, with the repurposed footage representing a nuclear attack on London.
The mayor of Lac-Mégantic, Julie Morin, critisised Netflix for using the footage, telling Candian press: “You can be sure we are going to follow up on this, and our citizens are on our side.”
Travellers‘ production company, Peacock Alley Entertainment, has released a statement apologising, saying they acquired the footage from stock footage vendor Pond 5 ”and weren’t aware of its specific source”. They added that they did not mean to dishonour the Lac-Mégantic incident and would be replacing the footage.
Pond 5 also released a statement, saying they regretted that the footage had been ”taken out of context and used in entertainment programming”. They apologise “to anyone who was offended, especially the victims and their families”.
Their library of stock footage has been used by multiple production companies and includes a variety of archived footage. However, they say it’s rare “that something like this occurs” and will contact customers who have used the particular clip to make them aware ”of the sensitive nature of this footage”.
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