Front page of Unplanned’s Twitter account Credit: @UnplannedMovie
It was a concerning development when Twitter shut down Unplanned movie’s Twitter account @UnplannedMovie.
But it was certainly not unexpected as Twitter is gaining a reputation for trying to silence conservative voices in the name of diversity. Basically, some suggest Twitter defines diversity as limited to only those who agrees with the opinions of the social media giant and its employees.
The movie focuses on a former Planned Parenthood Director Abby Johnson who turned away from her life as an abortionist after watching staff use an ultra sound to kill a baby.
But the movie has faced its fair share of challenges. First the movie industry gave it a rating of “R.” Obviously, the Liberal élite are very concerned that young people would find out about the “horror” side of abortion.
In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Ken Rather, spokesman for Pure Flix who is distributing the film, summed the decision up perfectly when he said:
“A 15-year old girl can get an abortion without her parent’s permission, but she can’t see this movie without adult supervision? That’s sad.”
However, the most bizarre attack came as Twitter shut down the movie’s account on March 30, 2019, the very day it was released in theaters. Opening day is the most important day for any film release.
They set up their Twitter account in August, 2018 to promote the movie and it operated unhindered until March this year.
Chuck Konzelman, who along with Cary Solomon, directed and wrote the script said:
“The reason for the suspension has not — to the best of my knowledge — been made clear, beyond being accidental.'”
However the issue was raised by members of the Senate Judiciary’s Subcommittee on the Constitution who asked Twitter’s director of public policy Carlos Monje Jr why the account @Unplannedmovie was suspended on the very weekend the movie was released.
Monje blamed automation issues stating that when people set up new accounts, the system automatically checks to see if the account is linked to a banned account and, if so, it will shut down the new account.
However, as many pointed out, Twitter had nearly nine months to shut down the account if that was the case, so why did it wait until the very weekend the movie was released?
In a presentation on freedom of speech to the Subcommittee, Konzelman added their banned account was owned by the movie’s newly formed marketing division.
Three hours later Twitter restored the account admitting it had made mistake. But the problems didn’t stop there, Konzelman added that their account, which originally had 200,000 followers, had less than 200 followers on restoration.
Though the followers were eventually restored, this was taking place on Unplanned’s all important opening day.
But it seems, the controversy surrounding Twitter’s shut down has only increased the movie’s exposure.
Unplanned’s Twitter account now has 353,000 followers and the movie which cost $6.1 million to produce has made over $12 million and was among the top ten attended movies during its first two weeks.
In an interview with The Blaze, Abby Johnson says she is hearing daily how much the movie has impacted people and is changing minds and saving lives.
It reminds me a bit of the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. After rising to second command in Egypt, Joseph told his brothers who came to Egypt because of a drought:
20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Genesis 50:20 NKJV)
Sources:
- ‘Unplanned’ filmmakers on banning the movie’s account: ‘They identified us with a conservative issue’: Fox News
- Unplanned director tells Senate panel about Twitter, Google’s censorship of pro-life film: Lifesite News
- MPAA’s R-Rating for Anti-Abortion Film Disputed by Distributor Pure Flix: Hollywood Insider
- Pro-life ‘Unplanned in top ten box office again: Star Actress Shares Her Own ‘Unplanned Story‘: CBN
- Twitter’s claims to Congress for why it suspended account of pro-life movie ‘Unplanned” on opening weekend rasise more questions: The Blaze
