'Contagion' stars Matt Damon, Kate Winslet and Laurence Fishbourne drop PSA video for 'Control the Contagion'
In 2011, Steven Soderbergh directed a film called 'Contagion' starring Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Laurence Fishbourne among others. The movie depicted a pandemic like situation, more like the one the world is facing today.
In the midst of the new coronavirus, Columbia University got the stars to film a series of PSA-style videos talking about the movie and advising the public as well.
Many viewers had already compared the current crisis to the 2011 movie. "I'm watching the movie #Contagion and I'm pretty sure someone decided to reenact it with #Coronavirus. I mean damn it's exactly what's happening right now," tweeted a fan, after watching the PSA- style video and the movie.
Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishbourne and Jennifer Ehle joined forces for the public health campaign called 'Control the Contagion', which hopes to spread "information about scientific, evidence-based precautions that we can all take to better protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities."
"We who made #Contagion the movie know that you are watching it again now. This video is not about the 'fictional' virus in the movie but about the real pandemic we struggle with today. Thanks to the great actors and the super wonderful writer Scott Z Burns for these messages," tweeted epidemiologist, technologist and philanthropist Lawrence Brilliant.
In Damon's PSA- style video, he informed, "This is a new virus, it's going to take some time for our bodies and our doctors to understand it and understand the best way to protect us. So, new viruses emerge all the time, this isn't the first, and it won't be the last. So, the good news is, we have seen things like this before, and we emerged stronger as a result. And in time, we're going to win against this one as well."
He also talked about the importance of social distancing and urged fans and viewers to abide by instructions given by authorities.
"Thank you for speaking out! #Contagion cast. Using your platform will listen as ppl like you with credibility and standing have spoken. Stay healthy #ControlTheContagion," expressed another tweet.
"Thank you for sharing and enlightening us. Your voice is needed you know. And appreciated. Thank you," wrote another.
However, some fans were not too supportive of their PSA-style videos. A fan expressed with the tweet, "Actors are so f***ing self-righteous. Just because you ACTED in a movie about a fake contagion does not mean you should be giving anyone advice or opinions on real-world issues. F*** Hollywood man, we worship these f***ing morons like they're experts."
"Why would anyone think this is some good idea to have these people together talking about this issue? I know why but please. This is sickness to a new level regardless of how many people that don't see it, "said another tweet. "They're actors not doctors," commented another fan on the PSA-style videos.
With regard to the on-going pandemic, fans are curious about the film that was released 10 years ago. Scott Z Burns, who wrote the 'Contagion' script, has received many fan emails and social media responses. Some praised him for the accuracy in the movie while others accused him of being a member of the Illuminati.
He said to The New York Times, "These viruses are tracer bullets through our society, They illuminate a lot of the problems that we have. One of the things I didn’t anticipate was that we would have an issue with how truthful and on top of things our administration would be. I remember being most concerned that the spread of misinformation could be as prolific and dangerous as the virus."