- Title: Mark Wahlberg on responsibility to honour Deepwater Horizon victims
- Date: 26th September 2016
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 26, 2016) (REUTERS) EMPIRE CINEMA SIGN TO "DEEPWATER HORIZON" RED CARPET "DEEPWATER HORIZON" POSTER FANMADE SIGN TO FANS BEHIND BARRICADE
- Embargoed: 11th October 2016 20:56
- Keywords: Deepwater Horizon Mark Wahlberg Peter Berg movie premiere
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Film
- Reuters ID: LVA001517EXJH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Oscar nominated actor Mark Wahlberg walked the red carpet in London on Monday (September 26) for the European premiere of "Deepwater Horizon".
The film focuses on the hours before and after the deadly rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010 that led to the worst offshore oil disaster in U.S. history.
Directed by Peter Berg, Wahlberg plays Mike Williams, the real life worker who was one of the last people to escape from the burning rig.
Kurt Russell, Gina Rodriguez, John Malkovich and Kate Hudson make up the rest of the ensemble cast.
Some of the "Deepwater Horizon" crew were in Mississippi and New Orleans recently for special screenings of the drama for the families and friends of those affected by the tragedy.
When asked whether he was nervous about showing the final feature to those particular audiences, Wahlberg replied: "You're always worried because, you know, the biggest responsibility for us is getting it right and making sure that we honour them and it was long overdue, especially for the 11 people that lost their lives, there wasn't enough media or attention, period, to the fact that 11 people lost their lives. So once we got their approval, we were able to make them proud, everything else - our job - was done."
"The focus wasn't really on who made what mistakes and who was responsible. Really it was about the heroics of the 11 people and the inspiring things that they did to survive and help one another," he added.
The Hollywood star was joined at the premiere by the man he portrays on screen, Transocean engineer Mike Williams.
"There are 11 men who lost their lives out here as well. The oil can ultimately be cleaned up, those 11 men can't be replaced. Those were fathers, brothers, husbands, uncles, cousins - we can't replace those guys and so when they approached me about doing this film, I thought, what better way to promote their story," he told Reuters.
"Deepwater Horizon" examines safety decisions made by BP executives leading up to the disaster, highlighting the pressure workers were under to save money as drilling fell behind.
The British oil major in July estimated costs from the disaster will total about $62 billion, as it sets aside billions for criminal and civil penalties and cleanups.
"I never faulted BP for being a company for profit, that's what fuels our economy, we all use fuel, I get that they're a company for profit," said director Peter Berg.
"Where I think they erred was when they got behind schedule and behind budget, some of the guys from BP pushed too hard, they moved too quickly. You know, one thing that I hope people get from this is the idea that we should make sure that our corporations, like BP, that have so much potential to do harm to an environment, to lose lives, that these guys who are on the ground are in a position to hit the brakes, slow down when things get tense."
"Deepwater Horizon" opens in cinemas from September 29. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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