The parents of murdered Queensland 13-year-old schoolboy Daniel Morcombe have criticised the producers of a new Australian film, saying it is "making money off a heinous crime" and is "disrespectful" to their son.
The Stranger is a dramatisation of the decade-long investigation that led to the arrest of the teenager's killer, Brett Peter Cowan.
The producers of the film said it was "a fictionalised account of the undercover police operation that resulted in a successful murder prosecution".
The film, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May, follows two strangers who meet on a plane and become friends.
"For Henry Teague (actor Sean Harris), worn down by a lifetime of physical labour, this is a dream come true," the film's synopsis says.
"His new friend Mark (actor Joel Edgerton, who plays the undercover police officer) becomes his saviour and ally.
"However, neither is who they appear to be, each carry secrets that threaten to ruin them."
Daniel's mother Denise yesterday tweeted that the film "is not supported by the Morcombe family" after discovering the film would headline the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) in August.
"The actor, the cameraman — they've all made money out of the movie but the hurtful thing is, they are using Daniel's name to promote the movie and that's what we find really disgusting," Ms Morcombe told the ABC.
Bruce and Denise Morcombe launched the Daniel Morcombe Foundation in 2005, to continue their message on child safety.
Daniel's father Bruce said yesterday there had been "no offer of assistance in terms of promoting the work of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation [or] Daniel's legacy to make sure that Aussie kids are kept safe".
"We think this is most distasteful, most hurtful, and has no community benefit whatsoever," he said.
Daniel and family do 'not want this story', parents say
The Morcombes rejected the notion that the film was fictitious.
"The actual predator looks exactly like Brett Peter Cowan," Ms Morcombe said.
Mr Morcombe added "of course it's not a fictitious story – only an idiot would suggest that".
"We speak for Daniel, and he does not want this story — none of the family want this story..
He said the film "does not help" those affected by Daniel's murder.
"Of course, there's Daniel schoolfriends and there's lots and lots of layers that are all impacted by Daniel's loss.
"This movie does not help, that's for sure. So maybe people should consider the victims — not just their own hip pocket — when considering making a movie such as this."
Film festival acknowledges Morcombe family's distress
The film's producers defended the the production, saying "out of our deepest respect for the family, the name of the victim is never mentioned in the film".
"Instead it tells the story of the unknown police professionals who committed years of their lives and their mental and physical health to resolve this case, and others like it.
"When the film was first in development, the producers approached the family to make them aware of the film — they declined to be involved. It is a decision we continue to respect."
A MIFF spokesperson said it "respects and acknowledges the grief, pain and hurt that the Morcombe family have expressed about this film" but stood by its decision to screen it.
"MIFF believes that this film — as recognised by its inclusion in Cannes Film Festival this year — is a powerful work from a respected Australian director.
"It provides opportunity for contemplation and discussion of challenging subject matter.
"MIFF is a space, like many film festivals, where all kinds of cinema, including that which we may find dark or difficult, can be responsibly presented to an audience."
Killer eligible for parole in 2031
Cowan abducted Daniel while the 13-year-old waited for a bus under the Kiel Mountain Road overpass on Nambour Connection Road at Woombye on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in 2003.
Daniel was on his way to go Christmas shopping when he disappeared.
Cowan confessed to the crime in a secret recording made by undercover police posing as criminal gang members.
In 2011, human bones and a pair of shoes were found in bushland on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, with DNA results confirming they belonged to Daniel.
In 2014, Cowan was convicted of the teenager's abduction and murder and sentenced to life in jail, with a minimum non-parole period of 20 years.
Cowan will be eligible for parole in 2031.
