After a months-long controversy, Netflix has at last agreed to removed images of the 2013 Lac-Megantic disaster from Bird Box.
"Netflix and the filmmakers of Bird Box have decided to replace the clip," a Netflix spokesperson told the Canadian Press. "We're sorry for any pain caused to the Lac-Megantic community."
In January, Netflix apologized to residents of Lac-Mégantic, QC, for using footage of the 2013 rail disaster in Bird Box. However, after Netflix said it still had no plans to removed the offending footage, Canada's Parliament stepped in to put pressure on the streaming giant to do so, saying Netflix should compensate town residents for use of the footage.
The disaster took place in July 2013, when an unattended 74-car freight train carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Mégantic. The cars exploded and killed 47 people, in addition to destroying roughly half of the downtown area.
Responding to Netflix's decision to now remove the footage, Lac-Megantic Mayor Julie Morin told CP, "Yes, there was a delay, but I think in the end, what's more important for me, is that we have a solution to this situation we felt was important to settle."
Netflix had licensed the rail disaster footage from New York City-based stock image vendor Pond5. The footage had also appeared in television series Travelers. That show's production company, Toronto-based Peacock Alley Entertainment, had also purchased the footage from Pond5.
The disaster footage will reportedly be removed from Bird Box within the next two weeks.
"Netflix and the filmmakers of Bird Box have decided to replace the clip," a Netflix spokesperson told the Canadian Press. "We're sorry for any pain caused to the Lac-Megantic community."
In January, Netflix apologized to residents of Lac-Mégantic, QC, for using footage of the 2013 rail disaster in Bird Box. However, after Netflix said it still had no plans to removed the offending footage, Canada's Parliament stepped in to put pressure on the streaming giant to do so, saying Netflix should compensate town residents for use of the footage.
The disaster took place in July 2013, when an unattended 74-car freight train carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Mégantic. The cars exploded and killed 47 people, in addition to destroying roughly half of the downtown area.
Responding to Netflix's decision to now remove the footage, Lac-Megantic Mayor Julie Morin told CP, "Yes, there was a delay, but I think in the end, what's more important for me, is that we have a solution to this situation we felt was important to settle."
Netflix had licensed the rail disaster footage from New York City-based stock image vendor Pond5. The footage had also appeared in television series Travelers. That show's production company, Toronto-based Peacock Alley Entertainment, had also purchased the footage from Pond5.
The disaster footage will reportedly be removed from Bird Box within the next two weeks.
