Why Hotel Mumbai and other Historic Tragedies Should be Aired [EDITORIAL]

It was not wrong to release the movie Hotel Mumbai on its scheduled date, despite the bad timing of the New Zealand terror attacks. The board believes Hotel Mumbai should have been shown in the U.S. theaters, although it was fine for New Zealand to take a difference stance, due to proximity. The board also believes historical films in general should not be banned or censored, even if they’re about tragic events in history. However, like the theaters in New Zealand decided, if the tragic incident for example occurred near or around those theaters, the theaters should have the right to delay the film from premiering, taking into consideration the sensitivity surrounding that area for example.

It’s not Hotel Mumbai’s fault that the film based on the real-life 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai, is being released a couple weeks after a terrorist attack on two mosques in New Zealand. While the New Zealand terrorist attack was certainly a tragic event, premieres of movies like Hotel Mumbai in this case, are set by studios months in advance. There is no way any filmmakers could have foreshadowed this tragic event, or even yet, be expected to pivot on a dime and completely cancel this movie around the world and in the U.S. for example. Censoring films like Hotel Mumbai and not allowing for a film like this and other films similar that touch on these sensitive historical events to air across the globe, prevents future discussions about the topic. This is one of the many reasons people tune into and go see films like Hotel Mumbai, people are curious, driven by suspense, and oddly intrigued by tragic historical events.

However, the theaters in New Zealand made the right decision in postponing this film. One exception to a film not airing on the set premiere date, would be if a tragic incident occurred close to the premiere, like the bad timing we saw with Hotel Mumbai in New Zealand. For example, Peter Berg’s real-life tragedy films that have come out in the past couple years, Patriot’s Day and Deepwater Horizon, both respectively were made nearly five years after the event. Berg’s film Patriot’s Day about the Boston marathon bombings wasn’t made until four years after the tragedy. Similarly, Berg’s other film Deepwater Horizon wasn’t in theaters until six years after the oil spill happened in the gulf. These two examples of the waiting periods from the film premiering to when the tragic event occurred, shows appropriate respect to that area. Generally, the waiting period of a couple years when it’s no longer in the recent memory of the public, seems like the most appropriate way to go about it for the areas in which the incident occurred around.

In general, films like Hotel Mumbai should not be banned even if they are about tragedies. Although, theaters near the tragic incident should have the right to decide whether to show that film or extend the date on the premiere. Again, If the context is accurate and factual, then there shouldn’t be too much controversy releasing the film, even if the films may be gut-wrenching.