October 25th 2024.
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A new musical film is set to be released next month, based on the infamous fake kidnapping of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews from Yorkshire. The shocking incident, which took place in 2008, became even more disturbing when it was revealed that her own mother was behind the scheme, attempting to make money from her daughter's disappearance.
After nearly a month of searching, Shannon was found bound and drugged under a bed in the flat of Michael Donovan, who had conspired with Karen Matthews to claim a reward for her safe return. They even went so far as to try and extort money from a charity set up by the parents of Madeleine McCann, who had gone missing in Portugal a year prior. However, their plan ultimately failed and they never received a payout.
But one group, known for their dark comedy, has found success in making light of this bizarre true crime case. Kunt and the Gang performed their hit show, "Shannon Matthews: The Musical," at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022, and now they have turned it into a movie. The film features catchy songs such as "Shannon Ain't Dead," "You're A Paedophile," and "Karen Calls the Maddie Hotline."
The musical tells the story of Shannon's disappearance while she was on her way home from swimming. The group describes it as "West Yorkshire's worst case of absolute stupidity" and promises to bring it to the silver screen for the first time. However, the film has sparked controversy in Dewsbury, the town where the incident took place. Some feel that it is cruel and insensitive to make a comedy about a traumatic event that Shannon had to endure.
Local councilor Ammar Anwar expressed his concern, stating, "Just imagine being that poor girl Shannon Matthews, and having to relive the ordeal all over again. I think it's cruel and sadistic to make her live through it again. People should let her move on with her life and forget about the past."
There are also those who question the taste of making a musical about such a horrendous situation. Tory MP Mark Eastwood, who was involved in the search for Shannon in 2008, commented that the musical seems to be in poor taste. In response, the frontman of Kunt and the Gang stated that it is healthy to use comedy to break down taboos and tackle topics that are often considered too bleak to joke about.
Despite the controversy, "Shannon Matthews: The Musical... The Movie" has received high ratings, with 9.9 out of 10 stars on IMDb. Fans who have seen the film have praised it for its acting, singing, and attention to detail in recreating the sets. One fan even said it was the funniest film they had ever seen and couldn't wait to watch it again.
The film adds a comedic twist to the traumatic story of Shannon Matthews and her kidnapping, which eventually led to the imprisonment of both Donovan and Karen Matthews. Donovan was jailed for eight years, and despite having no visitors in the months before his death from throat cancer, he was disowned by his family. Karen Matthews was also sentenced to eight years in prison for her involvement in the crime. The judge, Mr. Justice McCombie, stated that it was impossible to understand how they could have put Shannon through such a terrifying ordeal.
The Shannon Matthews case has been the subject of much media attention, with the BBC miniseries "The Moorside" dramatizing the events. And now, "Shannon Matthews: The Musical... The Movie" will be available to stream on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu, starting November 15. The DVD release is also planned for later this year or early 2025.
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