After the producers of a new movie dramatizing the 1986 Chernobyl disaster received criticism that they are exploiting the 400,000 victims of the nuclear meltdown, Chabad's Children of Chernobyl expressed support for the film, because it portrays the true extent of the disaster - something which the world has remained mostly ignorant of due to Soviet censorship.
Chabad Chernobyl Organization Backs Filmmakers
After the producers of a new movie dramatizing the 1986 Chernobyl disaster received criticism that they are exploiting the 400,000 victims of the nuclear meltdown, Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl expressed support for the film, because it portrays the true extent of the disaster – something which the world has remained mostly ignorant of due to Soviet censorship.
From TMZ:
The producer of “Chernobyl Diaries” is firing back at claims that his movie is exploiting the 400,000 victims of the nuclear disaster, telling TMZ another support group actually praised him for his efforts.
Oren Peli – who also directed “Paranormal Activity” – tells TMZ that his film was done with the utmost respect for the victims of the 1986 disaster… so much so that the group Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl wrote him a letter praising him with “admiration” and “kudos” for his creation.
In a statement Peli tells TMZ, “As for the claim that our film exploits anyone — we could not disagree more vigorously. First of all, the criticism and accusations are coming from a group that has not seen the film, whereas conversely the praise for it is coming from those who have indeed seen it.”
If you recall … Friends of Chernobyl Centers U.S. previously bashed the film for sensationalizing the tragic event – angry over the use of victims as violent mutants.
Peli – who also wrote the film – lashes back, telling us “the villains of the movie are not mutated ”victims“ of the Chernobyl disaster and the dilapidated location is JUST a backdrop.”
He then concludes, “The film, though fictional, may in fact shine a light on a tragedy too many have forgotten.”
Horror film
I have seen the preview in the theater and its not a movie chabad will approve of
FIlm critic
#1 your missing the point, it is not about Chabad approving of the film,it is about approving of what the screen play portrays. I do agree with you in regards to the idea of the film. It is terrible that such a tragic event as Chernobyl is being sensationalized in a Hollywood horror film.
CHT
Common people, did everyone loose the mind, this is a “Horror” movie, not a “Historical Fiction” movie, a gantze goishkait, I heard from respected soifer you cannot buy mezuzos from a sofer who watches Horor movies, those movies are entirely about sitra achra.
agree with # 1
This is a made up horror story that takes place in Chernobyl, this is not a documentary on what happened. i dont see any reason why chabad would support this
they are using Chernobyl for their benefit
Milhouse
Chabad Chernobyl exploits the explosion more than anyone; their entire raison d’etre is based on making up bobbe maises about all these children being sick because of it, when in fact there is no evidence that *anybody* outside the plant itself suffered any harm. All the sick kids that they built their org around would have been just as sick without the explosion; but we would never have heard of them. For them it was the best thing that could have happened. So let them not talk about “exploitation”.
yitzchok c in Jerusalem
from what I heard its about deformed mutants running around in a nuclear disaster zone. This is not exactly historical fiction here. Unfortunately it hurts me to say it but Chabad is a big sellout on a lot of issues. We of all people ought to know and be more sensitive about this part of history cause we were there first with the rescue missions. Very sad that Chabad is supporting this shtus. I have no doubt it is for profit. Im sure the Rebbe would not approve.