James Bulger drama director didn't contact murdered youngster's parents before making film

Viewers took to social media to condemn Vincent Lamb following his appearance on Good Morning Britain.

He spoke about Detainment – a dramatisation of police interviews with the child killers – and why he hadn't contacted James' family.

James was killed by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson in February 1993, after he was abducted while out shopping with his mum Denise Fergus.

Vincent argued he made the film to get a "deeper understanding" of the crime, and the boys who committed it, before admitting it may not have been made had he spoken to the youngster's relatives.

But outraged people flooded Twitter to express their anger that the film had gone ahead with the family unaware.

One person wrote: "I really really disagree with the release of this #jamesbulger film. Haven’t his family suffered enough?"

Another added: "Are you joking? A movie based on the #jamesbulger murder??? No, just no. That is in no way ok. Actually can't believe it's gone ahead."

An angry viewer posted: "I cannot believe what I am hearing and seeing here !!!!! #gmb I’m absolutely outraged ! #jamesbulger @GMB yes! Why didn’t you contact the family!!"

Others couldn't believe the director had been invited on GMB, with one writing: "Is this guy on #GoodMorningBritain for real?

"No respect for the parents and family of James Bulger what so ever. He has simply used the topic to boost his career."

Another angry person added: "So this man is on @gmb to tell the nation about the film he's made about the killers of James Bulger.

"And to make things worse he didn't even have the courage to ask James' parents. Absolutely disgusting."

Vincent said: "I have enormous sympathy for the Bulger family.

"When I think of what the Bulger family have gone through it honestly breaks my heart and my film is not meant to bring anguish to them. I think that it will be a very difficult watch for them

"I wouldn't expect them to be comfortable with a film that humanises these boys.

"The reason I think its important is that when people dismiss them from being real you don't learn anything from it.

"The film is not meant to be sympathetic to them it's not meant to show excuses but it is meant to be factual."

Ben Shephard grilled the filmmaker on why he hadn't contacted the family.

Vincent looked uncomfortable as he said: "I did think about it, I thought about it a lot [contacting the Bulger family]. Then it probably wouldn't have been made."

Discussing the fact Detainment has been tipped for Oscars, Ben asked how Vincent feels about the "success that is coming alongside what is an extraordinarily distressing time for the family".

He replies: "It's not a film I made to profit from, financially anyway, I was as surprised as anyone when it made the shortlist for the Oscars."

Denise will appear on GMB tomorrow morning to reveal her anger that the film has been made.

Source: Read Full Article