Netflix To Remove Footage From Lac-Mégantic In 'Bird Box' Scene
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Featured Image Credit: Netflix
In January the streaming service admitted using a brief clip from Canada's Mégantic tragedy in the film starring Sandra Bullock.
More than 45 people died when a train carrying crude oil derailed in Quebec in 2013, while homes and businesses in the town were also destroyed.
A news clip was used in Bird Box to depict a fictional story about an apocalyptic scenario when a mysterious affliction consumes the world.
However, this isn't the first time the online streaming service has used images of the tragic incident, as similar footage was found to be used in the science-fiction drama Travelers.
When it was discovered this footage had been used, the vendor that provided the scenes said it deeply regretted the footage being "taken out of context and used in entertainment programming."
The vendor added that they would contact any customers who had bought clips from the tragedy to make them aware "of the sensitive nature of this footage."
Quebec's culture minister wrote to Netflix's CEO in January, requesting the streaming service removes the clips from Bird Box.
At first, Netflix said it would not remove the footage even though protests were emerging from the Lac-Mégantic community.
Why did the film and show use footage from the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster? In multiple episodes of Travelers or just one? And one specific part of Bird Box? Or in multiple places? #Netflix #Travelers #BirdBox #filmmaking pic.twitter.com/0pX4IBk7ru
- Samantha J. Foster Composer (@sjfostersound) February 7, 2019
.@netflix Probs going to cancel my Netflix account after learning today that there is real footage of the 2013 Lac-Megantic rail tragedy in #Birdbox, and that you are refusing to remove it. 47 people died. WTF?? Talk about capitalism.
- Melody D Gruber (@TheMerodu) February 14, 2019
Thank you @netflix to finally agree to take out the Lac-Mégantic incident from the #BirdBox movie.
- Ralph (@PhitzGG) March 14, 2019
Now, the online streaming service has now revealed it will in fact replace the clip, the BBC reports. In a statement, the streaming service said:"We're sorry for any pain caused to the Lac-Mégantic community."
Netflix has added that the process of replacing the clip with an outtake from a TV series worldwide could take up to several weeks.