'Blood money': The Morcombe Blast Joel Edgerton's new film about the hunt for Daniel's killer

The parents of the slain 13-year-old Queensland schoolboy, Daniel Morcombe, criticized the producers of the new Australian film, saying the film “made money on heinous crimes” and “dishonoured” their son.

Key points:

• Released at the Cannes Film Festival in May, The Stranger features actor Joel Edgerton as an undercover police officer.
• Bruce and Denise Morcombe dismiss the idea the film is fictional and say it’s ‘so sad’
• Melbourne International Film Festival says the film is ‘a strong work by a respected Australian director’

The Stranger is a dramatization of the decade-long investigation that led to the arrest of the teenage killer, Brett Peter Cowan.

The film’s producers said it was a “fictional account of an 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), exhausted from a lifetime of physical labor, this is a dream come true,” the synopsis reads.

His new friend Mark (actor Joel Edgerton, who plays an undercover police officer) becomes his savior and ally.

“However, they are also nothing like what they look like, each carrying a secret that threatens to destroy them.”

Daniel’s mother, Denise, tweeted yesterday that the film was “not endorsed by the Morcombe family” after learning it would headline the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) in August.

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“Actors, cameramen – they all make money from films but what hurts is, they use Daniel’s name to promote the film and that’s what we find absolutely disgusting,” Morcombe told the ABC.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe launched the Daniel Morcombe Foundation in 2005, to continue their message of child safety.

Daniel’s father, Bruce, said yesterday “there was no offer of assistance in terms of promoting the work of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation [or] Daniel’s legacy to ensure that Australian children remain safe”.

“We think it’s the most unpleasant, the most painful, and has no benefit to society whatsoever,” he said.

“Everything, is blood money for people and connections – everyone associated with this film – and we don’t think that’s true.”

People take part in the annual Walk for Daniel at Woombye.(AAP: Dan Peled)

Daniel and family ‘don’t want this story’, parents say

Morcombes rejected the notion that the film was fictional.

“The real predator looks exactly like Brett Peter Cowan,” said Morcombe.

Mr Morcombe added “of course it’s not a fictional story – only idiots would suggest that”.

“We spoke for Daniel, and he didn’t want this story – no family wanted this story..

Daniel Morcombe disappeared while waiting for a bus in Woombye in 2003. (A B C)

He said the film “didn’t help” those affected by Daniel’s murder.

“The trailer and of course the print material about the film was very sad for Denise, myself and the rest of the extended family,” he said.

“Of course, there are Daniel’s schoolmates and there are many layers to the impact of losing Daniel.

“This film doesn’t help, that’s for sure. So maybe people should consider the victims — not just their own hip pockets — when considering making a film like this.”

Film festival acknowledges the Morcombe family’s plight

The film’s producers defended the production, saying “out of our deepest respect to the family, the victim’s name was never mentioned in the film”.

“The film does not depict the details of the murder, nor is the family represented in the film in any way,” the producers said.

“Instead it tells the story of an unidentified police professional who committed years of their life and their mental and physical health to solving this case, and who others loved it.

“When the film was first developed, the producers approached the family to let them know about the film – they refused to be involved. This is a decision we continue to respect.”

Actor Joel Edgerton plays undercover police officer Mark in the film.(AAP: Brendon Thorne)

A MIFF spokesman said it “respects and acknowledges the sadness, pain and heartache that the Morcombe family has expressed about this film” but stands by its decision to show it.

“The victim’s name is not mentioned and the family is not represented in the film. The crime is not the focus of the film – it is not depicted on screen.

“MIFF believes this film – as recognized by its inclusion at this year’s Cannes Film Festival – is a strong work by a respected Australian director.

“It provides an opportunity for contemplation and discussion of challenging subject matter.

“MIFF is a space, like many film festivals, where all kinds of cinema, including those we might find dark or difficult, can be shown responsibly to audiences.”

Killer eligible for parole in 2031

Cowan kidnapped Daniel while the 13-year-old boy waited for a bus under the Kiel Mountain Road overpass on Nambour Connection Road in Woombye on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in 2003.

Daniel was on his way for Christmas shopping when he disappeared.

Cowan confessed to the crime on a secret tape made by police posing as members of a criminal gang.

In 2011, a human bone and a pair of shoes were found in bushland in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, with DNA results confirming that they belonged to Daniel.

In 2014, Cowan was convicted of kidnapping and murdering a teenager and sentenced to life in prison, with a non-release period of at least 20 years.

Cowan will be eligible for parole in 2031.

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