Sometimes words fail me. But not this time. I’m incensed. “They Are Us” an “inspirational story about the young leader’s response to the tragic events.” Now let me think, is it about the two police officers who responded with outstanding bravery when they apprehended a terrorist on a killing spree? It was acknowledged that without their intervention more people would have been killed. However, these officers did not want any public fanfare or attention. They were described as the sort of people who just wanted to get on with the job. So the film can’t possibly be about them.
Maybe the film could be about Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah who was hailed a hero for saving lives at the Linwood Mosque in Christchurch. Armed only with a credit-card reader, he confronted the terrorist and chased him from the Mosque. Without hesitating, he called to the attacker: “Come over here. I’m here.” He said, “I wanted to attract the gunman’s attention to protect the worshippers in the mosque and prevent more people from dying”. He actually grabbed the terrorists automatic assault rifle, was shot at but managed to shelter behind a parked vehicle. It was reported that he said, “I have no desire to be a hero, any person who still has human feelings would have done the same.” Sadly 71-year-old Daud Nabi also confronted the gunman, but tragically lost his life doing so. But it appears the film is not about them, they have no desire to be heroes.
The film has to be about the Christchurch specialists, surgeons, doctors and nursing staff who were confronted with the overwhelming trauma of forty eight shot up victims arriving on their doorstep. Ian Civil, a surgeon at Auckland City Hospital’s trauma service had this to say: “The fact that nobody died who reached hospital alive, is a great testament at the management of these patients.” Professional heroes, all of them. But they are a modest lot, never to be heard from. So the film can’t be about them.
But we all know who the film is about, don’t we? She may not have commissioned the film but if she has given the film her blessing then it confirms what we all know. Where is the dignity in advancing approval when so many others contributed so much more? Where is the humility when so many suffered and sacrificed everything? Where is the self-awareness of inappropriate intrusion? Is she so desperate for attention that she can’t see how absurd this will appear? Her role as PM was to represent the country’s horror at the events that took place. She approached it with unrestrained flamboyance.
Since outrage has been expressed about the timing of the film, the MSM is referring to the production as a film about the Christchurch terrorist’s attack. But it is not, is it? And Ardern’s spin doctors have been falling over themselves to distance her involvement. But she has not, at any time, requested that the film should not be produced. It doesn’t get any worse than that. After all, she is the real hero lest we forget.
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