The parents of Queensland boy Daniel Morcombe have criticized what they say is the new “crudely disrespectful” film depicting the hunt for their son’s killer.
Morcombe was 13 in December 2003 when he was snatched from a bus stop on Sunshine Coast and murdered.
His killer, convicted pedophile Brett Peter Cowan, was captured after an extensive eight-year investigation.
Daniel, who was buying Christmas presents at the time, was abducted at a Sunshine Coast bus stop. (new)
The investigation and subsequent police investigation are the subject of the new film, The Stranger, written and directed by Australian actor Thomas Wright.
The film has been screened at the Cannes Film Festival and will premiere at the Melbourne Festival Circuit next month.
But Daniel’s parents, Denise and Bruce, say the film should never have been made, accusing the producers of taking advantage of the horrific incident.
On social media, Denise called the film’s creators “parasites” who “make money with a heinous crime.”
The creators of The Stranger say the details of Daniel’s murder are not portrayed, and instead the film focuses on the police involved in the investigation. (Daniel Morcombe Foundation)
“It’s truly distressing, for the family and anyone who met Daniel,” Morcombe told 9News.
“He didn’t deserve what happened to him, and almost 20 years later he doesn’t deserve that.
“If I had a chance to blow it up and throw it in the river I would.”
In an interview with Deadline, Wright said that “it was a very difficult film to make … a terrifying film to take on.”
Bruce and Denise Morcombe have condemned the film, calling the directors “parasites” to take advantage of the crime. (9 NEWS)
The film’s creators say the film is not about what happened to Daniel, but about the police who worked to catch his killer.
“It tells the story of unknown police professionals who spent years of their lives and mental and physical health solving this case, and the like,” the producers said in a statement.
They say they alerted the Morcombe family before making the film and omitted details of the crime itself.
“From our deepest respect for the family, the victim’s name is never mentioned in the film and the film shows no details of the murder,” one producer said.
“Neither family is represented in the film in any way.”
The Morcombes have maintained their vocal opposition to the film.
“In a way, it provides oxygen to Cowan himself and the terrible crime he committed,” Morcombe said.
“Why are these people there? They have to look good on themselves. Are they there for their careers or for blood money?”