MovieChat Forums > The Mark of Cain (2008) Discussion > Channel 4 asked not to show it by hostag...

Channel 4 asked not to show it by hostages families

posted 17 years ago by HashRouge
9 replies | jump to latest

Has anyone else heard this, that channel 4 have been asked not to show it until the Iranian hostage situation has been resolved? Apparently, the families of some hostages are really worried that it may agravate the situation, because of the scenes where it shows British soldiers abusing Iraqis. Does anyone else agree? I don't know what I think, but I can understand the concern of the families.

Russell can't be with us tonight...he's in Guantanamo Bay

[–] c9552038 17 years ago

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6523031.stm

[–] CoolClones 17 years ago

I read in the Times that the show was going to be cancelled.

I think it's proposterous to cancel something just because it's subject matter is at the fore of the news to a certain degree.

There is a reason that we have freedom of the media and that is to question. Now is the time that this should've been shown. It's a story based on true events and it won't just go away.

Not showing it now because of a political situation is insulting.

"Even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day"

[–] HashRouge 17 years ago

Well, they are actually going to show it next week.
I don't see why you find it insulting, if I can be honest. I actually think it was a nice move from channel 4 - face it, yesterday was not a good day to show it. Not only did the 15 hostages return to freedom for the first time in almost 2 weeks, but 4 more service personnel were killed in Iraq, with another left fighting for his life. Sometimes, tact is the best thing. I'm not saying it should never be shown, but I am glad that they have postponed it a week.
It is an important drama, but so are the feelings of the hostages families - when channel 4 decided to postpone it, we didn't know when they would be released.

Russell can't be with us tonight...he's in Guantanamo Bay

[–] CoolClones 17 years ago

My point is.. Will it be cancelled next week too if another few soldiers are killed?

At the same time, it'll be shown next week regardless if any Iraqi civilians have been killed or mistreated and their families complain.

It seems that the war in Iraq is fine as long as US/UK soldiers are not killed. No-one thinks twice about the Iraqis.

Did you seriously believe that those 15 where ever in any danger? This was just a political game where the Iranians gained some ground by embarrassing the British and sending out a warning not to stray close to their waters.

You gotta remember that Iran has got the U.S. Fleet off the coast, Iraq to it's south and Afganistan to it's east. Half of the World's military is on it's doorstep.

The whole thing was just a political game of "back off".

"Even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day"

[–] HashRouge 17 years ago

I get what you are saying, but the point is that at the time Channel 4 decided to cancel The Mark of Cain, those people were still hostages. As far as we, or their families knew, the situation could go on indefinately. The families asked channel 4 not to show the programme, because they were afraid it would make the situation worse. What was Channal 4 supposed to do - ignore them?

Russell can't be with us tonight...he's in Guantanamo Bay

[–] c9552038 17 years ago

I feel it was incredibly decent for Channel 4 to postphone it, freedom of speech is one thing but theres also peoples feelings to consider, delaying the screening by a week will not in any way hinder the message the film is trying to give out.

[–] ollie501 17 years ago

Likewise.. and for people to complain their TV schedule has been disrupted due to people being so inconsiderate as to be taken hostage is appalling. Sure, I was disappointed it wasn't shown, but I thought Channel 4 did the right thing. Some people have no respect for other peoples feelings, as long as they get their daily dose of "entertainment".

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[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ollie501 17 years ago

It had nothing to do with what the general public could, or could not handle. It was done as a mark of respect for the families of the people being held hostage. They showed it two days later, after the situation had been resolved, so what's the problem?