A film made by a journalist made headlines recently during its screening at a US film festival. The night led to a controversial turn when some members of the audience were escorted out from the cinema by the authorities.
NZ Herald was among the first to report about the controversial turn journalist David Farrier's film had turn during its screening at a US film festival. The film, Tickled, premiered at the True/False Film Festival held in Columbia, Missouri. Tickled is an investigative film made by the journalist as he tackles on the sensitive issue of cyber bullying and harassment.
Columbia Tribune also reported the news about how two men from the film's audience were escorted out by the police as they had become disruptive.
As explained by Farrier on his Facebook account, the staff from the venue became suspicious of a couple of men who acted different and had brought in what looked like a hidden recording device. The two men were asked to leave but refused to do so. This prompted the organizers of the event to stop the film. Police officers then had to step in and escort out the two men to talk to them. Farrier shared a photo of the incident on his Facebook account too.
While it turned out that the two men appeared to be private investigators from New York, the festival director David Wilson explained that they were not taking any chances. On News Hub, Wilson was said to have thought that the two men were recording the film. Considering his problems with filmmakers in the past, Wilson had no choice but to alert the police.
After talking to the two men, it was discovered that they were allegedly working for one of the subjects of the film who had a very litigious background. With the movie, it involves the individual in a strong case of how he treats other people "in very terrible ways."
Meanwhile, the journalist and other individuals who took part in the production and distribution of Tickled are said to be facing legal action from one of the subjects in the film. A resident from New York has sued the filmmakers for "negligent infliction of emotional distress" and defamation.
Tickled continues its screening at the True/False Film Festival and would later be played in cinemas in New Zealand.
