Release Of ‘Made In France’ Film About French-Muslim Journalist Postponed In The Wake Of Paris Terror Attacks
The scheduled Nov. 18 release of Made in France was pushed to a later date following the series of terror attacks that took place in Paris. The film, which previously made headlines for its movie poster, also had its release cancelled in January because of the attack on the headquarters of newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
Made in France is about a French-Muslim journalist who goes undercover and infiltrates an extremist jihadist cell in Paris. The movie’s poster shows the Eiffel Tower with an AK-54 assault rifle. “The threat comes from inside,” reads the film’s tagline.
The film already premiered at the Busan Film Festival bearing the title, Inside the Cell. The festival’s catalog provides a description of the intriguing film.
“Shot a mere few months before the Paris events of January 2015, ‘Inside the Cell’s’ storyline bears close resemblance to what happened in reality. … ‘Inside the Cell’ is a daring investigation thriller that plunges you inside the extremist Muslim groups that grow inside western countries and can strike at any moment.”
Apart from postponing the release of Made in France, French distributor Pretty Pictures and producer Radar Films also confirmed that the film’s original campaign would be altered. Pretty Pictures chief James Velaise spoke to Deadline about their decision.
“Probably no one is going to the cinemas anyhow. They opened this morning but are still waiting to hear if they have to close. We don’t want the cinemas to be in the difficult decision of do we program this or not on Monday.”
Fox 2000 Pictures also scrapped the premiere of Steven Spielberg’s Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies upon finding out about Friday’s attacks in Paris, even though the filmmaker was already on his way to the city when the tragedy took place.
The terror attacks in Paris have put Made in France in jeopardy. Some are wondering if the producers will edit the film, especially the scenes featuring the encounters between extremists and French policemen.
Following the World Trade Center terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Sony had to remove the posters of Spider-Man because Spidey’s mask reflected the Twin Towers. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Collateral Damage was also released on Feb. 8 instead of its original Oct. 5 release date. In 2012, Warner Bros. removed the trailers for Gangster Squad, which featured mobsters firing inside a movie theater. The decision came after a man opened fire in a theater in Aurora, Colorado during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises.
Apart from cancelled film releases, U2 withdrew from its Nov. 15 concert scheduled at the Accor Hotels
Arena. The members were reportedly practicing when the attack started. They already played for Paris on Nov. 10 and 11. In a statement, the band expressed their grief for the attacks.
“We watched in disbelief and shock at the unfolding events in Paris and our hearts go out to all the victims and their families across the city tonight. We are devastated at the loss of life at the Eagles of Death Metal concert and our thoughts and prayers are with the band and their fans. And we hope and pray that all of our fans in Paris are safe.”
What do you think should be the next move for the Made in France distributors?
[Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images]
