TIFF 2008 – Controversial film to debut despite threat
By Alexandra Heilbron on August 28, 2008 | 1 Comment
A controversial film that’s been threatened with legal action will go ahead with its screening at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Martin McGartland, who wrote the book that the movie Fifty Dead Men Walking is based on, describes the film as an “entirely false and distorted account of what took place.” He’s threatening to sue if the movie screens. The book tells his experience infiltrating the IRA between 1987 and 1991, including his near death and how he had to take on a new identity. Producers deny McGartland’s claims, saying in a statement that questions relating “to the legitimacy of the film are unfounded and that due process has been followed throughout the production. Mr. McGartland was consulted by the filmmakers during the production, read the script and watched the film in advance of any public screening. He was also given the opportunity to have the name of the lead character replaced with a fictional character name, which he declined. The film, although inspired by the contents, is not a representation of Mr. McGartland’s life.” The film will receive its world premiere September 10 at 9:30 p.m. at Roy Thomson Hall, with Sir Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess and Kevin Zegers, who star in the film, as well as writer/director Kari Skogland in attendance.
well, if this film generates as much response as it has on this storyline….
safe to assume Brad Pitt’s hairstyle will get more media coverage
gotta love the media highlights