Netflix has faced intense criticism after unveiling a documentary trailer about Titan Submarine on Twitter, drawing widespread backlash for its insensitivity and poor timing.
The controversy erupted when Netflix released the teaser for its Titan Submarine Documentary dubbed “The Deepest Breath” on June 20, while the search for the missing Titan submarine was still ongoing. The submersible, which carried notable individuals like British billionaire Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, OceanGate’s founder and CEO Stockton Rush, and experienced French diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet, embarked on its dive from a surface ship on June 18.
Tragically, it went missing just 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive. In a subsequent news conference on June 22, Coast Guard officials confirmed the devastating news that all five individuals on board the Titan submarine lost their lives due to a “catastrophic implosion” of the vessel.
Titan Submarine Documentary Landed Netflix in Hot Water
In freediving, a single breath can be the difference between life or death.
The Deepest Breath, a new documentary, premieres July 19 pic.twitter.com/XLeH5D1YMm
— Netflix (@netflix) June 20, 2023
Netflix faced backlash on social media after announcing the premiere of their upcoming documentary, “The Deepest Breath,” in a tweet. The documentary, produced by A24, delves into the world of freediving, where the act of holding one’s breath can have life-or-death consequences.
The teaser for “The Deepest Breath” showcases the intense nature of freediving, featuring sounds of heavy breathing and footage of Zecchini’s deep dives into the ocean. It also includes a scene depicting a diver being resuscitated during a freediving competition.
Critics were quick to point out the insensitivity of promoting a show that explores underwater exploration, given the recent tragedy involving the missing submarine. Many netizens expressed their disappointment, emphasizing the inappropriate timing of the documentary’s release and its potential impact on the grieving families affected by the incident.
Netizens Aren’t Happy
The backlash on social media was evident, with users voicing their disapproval of Netflix’s decision. One Twitter user pointed out the questionable timing, stating, “I’m not sure this is the best show to advertise during the Titanic submarine thing.”
Another user used sarcasm to highlight the poor timing, commenting, “Probably not the best-timed tweet you’ve ever done.” A third individual expressed their concern, criticizing the epic timing of the announcement in a negative light and questioning who made the decision to release the tweet.
Hey I don't care what they say, I love to see how this tragedy unfolded. People who act like they care about the Titan sub tragedy don't actually give two **ts about those people perished, I just want to know the reason(s) why this happened and love to see a documentary about it.
— SmartBot6996 (@KrisMag5) June 26, 2023
While some users expressed their disapproval of Netflix’s timing in promoting “The Deepest Breath” documentary, there were also individuals who expressed interest in understanding the reasons behind the Titan submarine tragedy and their desire to watch a documentary about it.
These users may have been curious about the details surrounding the incident and hoped that a documentary would provide them with insights into what happened.
The Titan Submarine, developed by OceanGate Inc. based in Everett, Washington, was specifically designed to withstand the extreme water pressure of deep-sea dives, including previous expeditions to the Titanic wreck. The submersible’s construction involved the use of durable materials like titanium, which is commonly employed in deep-sea vehicles for its strength and resistance to corrosion.
Typically, deep-sea vehicles employ a spherical pressure vessel design, which helps distribute the immense pressure evenly throughout the passenger compartment. However, the Titan submersible opted for a cylindrical design to accommodate more individuals. It incorporated a carbon fiber tube sandwiched between titanium end caps, balancing strength and weight considerations.
The release of the documentary trailer during this distressing period has sparked outrage, as many believe it displayed insensitivity towards the ongoing search efforts and the tragic loss of lives. The timing and lack of consideration for the gravity of the situation have drawn sharp criticism from the public and media alike.
Netflix now faces significant backlash and calls for accountability, as the ill-timed release of the documentary trailer has touched a nerve with many who are grieving and seeking answers regarding the unfortunate incident.
