Massive insensitivity? Viewers express outrage over Netflix show's similarity with real-life tragedy
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Television shows and movies often draw inspiration from real-life experiences or stories.
Yet, where do producers draw the line between being inspired and just copying actual events?
A streaming giant's latest series recently drew flak for its unsettling parallels to a heart-wrenching tragedy that hit Aussies a few years ago.
Netflix's drama series The Accident sparked a wave of controversy and outrage for its similarity to the heart-wrenching Hillcrest Primary School jumping castle tragedy, which happened in December 2021.
The incident, which happened in Tasmania, saw the loss of six young lives.
The series, which featured a story where a bouncy castle swept into the air and resulted in deaths, saw intense backlash from viewers and officials alike.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has been vocal in his criticism and has expressed his dismay in the state's House of Assembly.
Premier Rockliff called out the show for displaying 'massive insensitivity' and called the series 'distasteful'.
'Netflix should apologise to the community,' Premier Rockliff stated.
The Hillcrest incident, which occurred during end-of-year celebrations at a school in Devonport, was a national tragedy.
A sudden gust of wind lifted the jumping castle, which led to the fatal fall of six children.
The operator of the jumping castle has since been charged with workplace safety breaches and has pleaded not guilty, with a two-week hearing set for November.
The series also bore a resemblance to a tragic incident in the United States—where a five-year-old boy died after falling from a bouncy castle that became airborne in Maryland.
The Accident, set in Mexico's Santa Cruz, is a work of fiction and not based on any true stories.
The streaming giant also showed statistics from the American Meteorological Society.
According to the data collated between 2000 and 2021, wind-related bouncy castle accidents have resulted in 28 deaths and 479 injuries in the US alone.
Social media users have been divided over the series and the streaming platform's statement.
'A lot of horrific events have happened throughout history. That does not mean you cannot make films based on similar things,' one comment read.
'An extremely exploitative series. So terribly done, to the point of seeming comical,' another wrote.
'They haven't done it well. If you are going to base something off a real-life tragedy, there should be a modicum of respect,' a third said.
The ongoing issue with the controversial Netflix series raised important questions about the ethics of storytelling.
It also highlighted the responsibility of content creators in handling sensitive subjects and events.
How do you feel about the portrayal of real-life tragedies in entertainment? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section below.
Yet, where do producers draw the line between being inspired and just copying actual events?
A streaming giant's latest series recently drew flak for its unsettling parallels to a heart-wrenching tragedy that hit Aussies a few years ago.
Netflix's drama series The Accident sparked a wave of controversy and outrage for its similarity to the heart-wrenching Hillcrest Primary School jumping castle tragedy, which happened in December 2021.
The incident, which happened in Tasmania, saw the loss of six young lives.
The series, which featured a story where a bouncy castle swept into the air and resulted in deaths, saw intense backlash from viewers and officials alike.
The Accident recently premiered on Netflix, with one season available for streaming. Image Credit: Tudum
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has been vocal in his criticism and has expressed his dismay in the state's House of Assembly.
Premier Rockliff called out the show for displaying 'massive insensitivity' and called the series 'distasteful'.
'Netflix should apologise to the community,' Premier Rockliff stated.
The Hillcrest incident, which occurred during end-of-year celebrations at a school in Devonport, was a national tragedy.
A sudden gust of wind lifted the jumping castle, which led to the fatal fall of six children.
The operator of the jumping castle has since been charged with workplace safety breaches and has pleaded not guilty, with a two-week hearing set for November.
The backlash towards The Accident also spread outside Aussie shores.The series also bore a resemblance to a tragic incident in the United States—where a five-year-old boy died after falling from a bouncy castle that became airborne in Maryland.
Netflix, through its official companion site Tudum, shared a statement regarding the series.The Accident, set in Mexico's Santa Cruz, is a work of fiction and not based on any true stories.
The streaming giant also showed statistics from the American Meteorological Society.
According to the data collated between 2000 and 2021, wind-related bouncy castle accidents have resulted in 28 deaths and 479 injuries in the US alone.
Social media users have been divided over the series and the streaming platform's statement.
'A lot of horrific events have happened throughout history. That does not mean you cannot make films based on similar things,' one comment read.
'An extremely exploitative series. So terribly done, to the point of seeming comical,' another wrote.
'They haven't done it well. If you are going to base something off a real-life tragedy, there should be a modicum of respect,' a third said.
The ongoing issue with the controversial Netflix series raised important questions about the ethics of storytelling.
It also highlighted the responsibility of content creators in handling sensitive subjects and events.
