Horror movie inspired by real Isla Vista killings sparks outrage, and a petition to stop the release

Horror movie inspired by real Isla Vista killings sparks outrage, and a petition to stop the release

Director Shaun Hart writes, "While I do admit there is the connection of Santa Barbara, this film is not about Elliot Rodger" /// MORE..

20,000 sign petition to stop release of DEL PLAYA..

This type of event should have been expected..
It is one thing to make a series of films decades after real events--when most of those who suffered the consequences of the reality of horror in life are either expired or too old to fight, or even know about the pop culture incarnation of realistic bloody scenes.. But this film by Shaun Hart hits hard, and soon after events it is based off of played out..

Hart's horror flick DEL PLAYA focuses on a troubled college male who murders after being rejected by a woman.

Then came a firestorm of controversy..
Then a petition to stop the release..
Then 20,000 + signatures.

And then this statement, in full, from Shaun Hart:

First and foremost, I would like to publicly apologize to everyone who has been offended in any way by our making of this film,” he wrote. “It was never our intent to monopolize on the tragic shootings in Isla Vista that took place last year. While I do admit there is the connection of Santa Barbara, this film is not about Elliot Rodger. The fictional character in the film is not meant to portray anyone in particular. It is meant to portray incidents that take place, not only in Santa Barbara, but across the country on a daily basis. Our intentions were not to make light of such a serious issue, but to engage our audience in an active discussion about bullying and violence.
“As a graduate of UCSB and a former resident of Del Playa, that day was a knife to my heart. For me, the actions of one individual tainted a lot of good memories of an innocent time and brought darkness to a place that should only be home to the hopes and dreams of the young. For all touched by the tragedy at DP, know this: I stand right there with you.