Controversial Oscar Pistorius TV film sparks outrage from family of Reeva Steenkamp
The families of both are considering taking legal action over the controversial film
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Your support makes all the difference.The airing of a TV film focused on Oscar Pistorius has sparked outrage from the family of Reeva Steenkamp who was killed in 2013.
Titled Oscar Pistorius - The Blade Runner Killer, the controversial film - which depicts the Paralympic champion shooting his girlfriend - aired in the US this week with Andreas Dammas and Toni Garrn in the lead roles.
Double-leg amputee Pistorius - who reached the semi-finals of the 400m during the 2012 Olympic Games in London - shot and killed 30-year-old Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013.
Having claimed that he thought she was an intruder, Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide or manslaughter in September 2014 - he was controversially put under house arrest and is now serving a six-year sentence.
The TV film centres on the run-up to Steenkamp's death and the trial that followed with “horrified” families of both criticising the film as “untrue and incorrect.” According to reports, they are considering taking legal action with Steenkamp's sister branding the film “a money-making exercise”
A representative for Steenkamp's family released a statement saying: “They are horrified and upset to read a report that 'the movie is told from Steenkamp and her mother's perspective'.
”June Steenkamp was not approached by Lifetime to participate, comment or be part of the making of the film, and did not give the producers any assistance. Any impression that is created that this is June's view, or that the movie is endorsed by the Steenkamp family, is untrue and incorrect.“
Pistorius' brother Carl released his own damning statement, writing: “The film was made with blatant disregard of both the Steenkamp and Pistorius families, as well as complete disregard for Reeva and Oscar.
“The 'film' is not true reflection of what happened on the day of this tragedy and the subsequent trial of the matter.
Prosecutors are currently fighting to increase Pistorius' prison sentence so he serves time for a minimum of 15 years.
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