Tsunami Disaster Film Begins Shooting

Nothing must be more entertaining than recent world disasters being re-created for theater or living room audiences. Call them engaging tributes, or emotional ways to make a buck, Hollywood just can't wait to churn out films faster than people might actually be ready for.

 

HBO Films and BBC 2 are apparently putting together an ensemble cast to star in "Tsunami", a drama concerning the events, eventual disaster, and aftermath surrounding the Tsunami that ripped across the Andaman coast in December of 2004. Set to star are Tim Roth (Dark Water), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Inside Man), Sophie Okonedo (Aeon Flux), Toni Collette (sixth sense), Hugh Bonneville (Notting Hill) and Gina Mckee (MirrorMask).

 

Obviously Hollywood is also taking a chance with it's upcoming "United 93" and "World Trade Center" which both concern the events of 9/11 (yet from different vantage points). Personally I feel I am not ready for these type of films. They say that those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it, well I doubt I'll be forgetting any time soon. That is not saying that the movies will not be tastefully done, with full respect to those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Movies Online reviewers Jerrica and Sheila Roberts have both seen "United 93" and both agree that if it had to be done at least it was done right. 

 

Jerrica also wrote a very strong article concerning just how soon is too soon when it comes to movies about 9/11. You can read that here.

 

I think my problem with movies like this; is where exactly the money will go once the movie's budget has been earned back from the box-office? If a movie is made purely as a tribute, then why not give the remainder of the earnings to a charity with some connection to the disaster? Much like director Michael Moore who would create documentaries to criticize American fat-cats that dominate business and politics, earning millions by pretty much doing nothing. Eventually of course Michael Moore would take his earnings from the box-office and buy a multi-million dollar home and replace his VW beetle with a chauffeured limo. But it doesn't matter what they do with the money so long as the movie was entertaining... right?