Streaming service Stan’s Port Arthur film NITRAM will be released next year

Premier Peter Gutwein says he is uncomfortable a film is being made about the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, but the government cannot do anything to stop it. READ HIS FULL RESPONSE >>

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PREMIER Peter Gutwein says he is uncomfortable that a film is being made about the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, but the government cannot do anything to stop it.

In state parliament this morning, Mr Gutwein responded to a question from independent MP Madeleine Ogilvie, who said it did not seem right or fair that the film be made.

Premier Peter Gutwein arrives at question time in State Parliament. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The film from streaming giant Stan is being filmed in Geelong to minimise distress to the Tasmanian community. It will air next year.

Mr Gutwein said the massacre, which claimed the lives of 35 people, was still a raw issue for Tasmanians.

“I have to say I feel highly uncomfortable about this and I think many Tasmanians will,” he said.

“Whilst being uncomfortable with it, this is a production that is not being shot in Tasmania and from the point of view of what we can do as a state, to prevent this production from taking place.”

He said the government was not supporting the production and had not been in contact with the filmmakers.

“It is a difficult circumstance for many in our community and as I’ve said I feel uncomfortable about this film being shot.

“I would hope the filmmaker are being sensitive in the way they shoot this particular production.”

Mr Gutwein said it would not be right to censor the film.

‘Opening up old wounds’

A NEW film focusing on the perpetrator of the Port Arthur tragedy will open up old wounds, community leaders say.

The film from streaming giant Stan is being filmed in Geelong and will air next year.

From the team behind the Stan Original Film True History of the Kelly Gang and Snowtown, director Justin Kurzel and writer Shaun Grant, NITRAM is a scripted feature film that looks at the events leading up to Port Arthur and how the 1996 atrocity occurred.

Memorial cross at Port Arthur to victims of shooting massacre. tas mass murder tasmania /Murder/Tasmania

The cast features Caleb Landry Jones (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Judy Davis (The Dressmaker), Essie Davis (True History of the Kelly Gang) and Anthony LaPaglia (Lantana).

It is being filmed in Geelong to minimise distress to the Tasmanian community.

However Tasman Mayor Kelly Spaulding said the film would be traumatic for some.

“Obviously we can’t stop people doing these things,” Cr Spaulding said.

“Everything is still really raw, its coming up to 25 years ago, every time it gets brought up in any sort of context it affects the families that were severely hit but also the wider community.

“It’s very hurtful to some families.”

Labor Lyons MHR Brian Mitchell said while the film making team were well-credentialed, its focus on the perpetrator would be hurtful.

“A lot of people down there are still living with this every day,” he said.

“I have deep misgivings that no matter how well intentioned, it could just really hurt people.”

NITRAM will premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival next year after receiving funding through the MIFF Premiere Fund.