Netflix film 'Bird Box' criticized for using footage of a real-life tragedy to depict a fake incident

'Bird Box' is being criticized for using footage of a real-life tragedy to depict a fake one. (Netflix)

Netflix is being criticized over its use of footage from a real-life tragedy to depict fake events in its breakout hit movie “Bird Box.”

The company told BBC that it has no plans to update the film and remove the controversial footage after it came to light that a scene early on in the movie that’s meant to showcase the growing apocalypse was actually a clip from Canada’s Lac-Megantic tragedy that saw more than 40 people killed in 2013 when a train carrying crude oil derailed in the small Quebec town.

The outlet reports that, in addition to the loss of life, dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed in the accident.

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The mayor of Lac-Megantic, Julie Morin, criticized the company for its use of the footage and even told local reporters, “I don’t know if this is happening all the time,” she told a local outlet, “but we are looking for assurances from Netflix that. . . they are going to remove them. You can be sure we are going to follow up on this, and our citizens are on our side.”

The BBC notes that the Sandra Bullock-led “Bird Box” is not the only piece of content on the streaming service to use the Lac-Megantic tragedy as general stock footage. The Canadian-American science-fiction drama “Travelers” depicted the incident in a Season 3 episode to depict a nuclear attack in London.

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Its production company, Peacock Alley Entertainment, explained that the footage was acquired from a stock footage vendor called Pond5 and that it wasn’t aware of the specific source. It issued an apology to those affected.

Pond 5 issued a similar statement to the outlet both apologizing and saying that it will contact other vendors who bought the footage to make them aware of its context.

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Representatives for Netflix did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.