The father of James Bulger has hit out at a controversial new documentary about his young son’s murder.
Ralph Bulger has slammed the film-maker, Vincent Lambe, for not warning the family about it, and branding it overly sympathetic towards the toddler’s killers.
Read more: James Bulger killer says he’s had a better life being in prison
The 30-minute short film, Detainment, is based on interview transcripts and records from the case and has been shortlisted for an Oscar after screening at various European festivals.
But Ralph has argued it would be “horrific” if the film won an award.
The devastated dad told the Mirror: “Not once has the maker of this film contacted me or any of James’s family about this film.
“It has been 26 years since my son was taken and murdered and so I have seen many documentaries and news stories about him.
“But I have never been so cut up and offended by something that shows so little compassion to James and his family.
“I accept this is a murder of such magnitude it will always be written about and featured in the news but to make a film so sympathetic to James’s killers is devastating.”
He added: “He may consider it to be in the public domain but he is making films and a career from the murder of my son.
“The very least he could have done was to contact us and let us know what he was planning.
“It will be horrific if this film wins an Oscar or any awards, given the disregard shown to James’s family.”
Director Vincent Lambe admitted on Good Morning Britain last week he did not contact Ralph or Denise before the film’s release.
Read more: James Bulger’s mum Denise disgusted by Channel 5 documentary
He said: “I think they wouldn’t want a film like this to be made.”
“A lot of people might say they feel it’s wrong to humanise them, but if people can’t accept the fact they were human beings, they would never be able to begin to understand what could have driven them to prevent such a crime.”
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