Okay, so I usually just brush these types of things off my shoulder and move on with my daily activities like bring you the best reviews and giveaways here at Giveaway Bandit, but today is a little different. I was on Crushable.com reading an article on the college football player, Manti Te’o, hoax (although I am still unsure as to if this poor guy knew what he was getting himself into… who knows) and I came across one of the most disturbing articles I have ever read.
“The Upper Footage” is a snuff film (which is illegal) and the studio behind it has released a movie trailer of a young girl overdosing on drugs. Supposedly this movie is real and whoever is behind it is releasing it at Mark Cuban’s (you know, the Maverick Basketball owner and investor from Shark Tank – which I LOVE) Landmark theater, Sunshine Cinemas in New York on January 31st. Being a Mom to the Bandit I cannot comprehend the thought of a child going through this… I need everyone to help me reach out to Mark and demand that he shut down the showings of this awful film!
Here’s the trailer so you can see for yourself.
Please keep in mind that there is profanity so keep the kiddos away if you’re going to waste your time watching this like I did.
Who is with me? Comment below and tell me what you think. Let’s start a mission to STOP THE UPPER FOOTAGE!
Let’s all spread the word. #StopTheUpperFootage or retweet below:
PLS RT & Help Me Stop the Release of The Upper Footage #StopTheUpperFootage @mcuban giveawaybandit.com/stop-release-u…
— Giveaway Bandit (@GiveawayBandit) January 22, 2013
Better yet, let’s all contact Mr. Cuban to let him know what we think!
Here is Mark Cuban’s email: mark.cuban@dallasmavs.com
Here is Mark Cuban’s twitter: @mcuban
Amanda Wood-Batchelor says
While I’m all for indie films, this is sickening. Why on earth would someone want to turn this into a movie? Why on earth would it be allowed to be shown in a prominent theatre? I’m appalled. As a mom, heck even as a normal person, I think it’s disgusting. Way to glorify drug use. As for emailing Mark Cuban regarding this film, you bet! I’ve got your back on this one.
wallywonks says
Thank you Amanda! I am hoping to get this campaign going viral to stop this film!
dv8thenorm says
if this is what is really going on why not expose it?
Mr. Rob Scure says
I this is released it will be satan and his angels at work! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
necta n says
disgusting outrageous i tweeted to mark about stopthe upper footage together we can do this!!!
rebecca says
awesome site love love love give aways
Chris perez says
wtf? this is sick, def gotta stop people from watching this crap.
Anika Hughes says
I never heard of this. It does sound pretty bad. I understand that what people call art differs but sometimes they go too far I think.
Denise Vandenbusch Bohman says
they need to get rid of this one. This being shown can cause an epidemic of drug overdoses and other bad things.
Lisa Brown says
It should not be show at all…horrible.
Dorothy Boucher says
just terrible and the person who wants to show this should be put behind bars.. who does he think he is.. how wrong n so sad..@tisonlyme143
carole says
very disgusting…….
Kelly R says
This is horrible. How could they make this into a movie… How sad..
Pamela Halligan says
I agree. It’s sick. I couldn’t bring myself to watch the trailer. The premise for this film is truly tragic and It’s disheartening to think anyone would actually want to watch such a film.
Kathleen says
I have a few thoughts on this; 1)Has it been confirmed that this is NOT a hoax? 2)I would hate to think that those of us who are disgusted by such a film, would actually be making it more popular by posting info about it. I for one, had never heard of it ’til now. 3)I am having a very difficult time trying to imagine Mark Cuban getting involved with such GARBAGE. Why would he? 4)There are always going to be the BAD GUYS in our world and another trashy film to take the place of the one you shut down. It is EXTREMELY maddening, frustrating, and SAD, but all too true. I think the more important thing is to teach our kids GOOD Christian values, morals, compassion, and a strong sense of self-esteem to steer them clear of this kind of thing. We can’t be there 24 hours a day for the rest of their lives and they will need to make good choices on their own.
Crystal says
What is wrong with people
Amy Green says
No redeeming value, whatsoever
Jessica Fortner says
As the mother of two young boys I am appaled by this! I pinned it and retweeted to spread the message.
Tammy S says
I can’t even understand why they would want to show this film. If they wanted to make a film then fine, use actors. My heart goes out to this poor girls family. It’s just so wrong on so many different levels.
Cindy B says
This isn’t the first time Mark Cuban has made me nauseous. No one I know would go to see this, but I know there are people who think this okay.
Amy Peschel says
Awful!
Holly Trudeau says
Dispicable! How can people get away with such a thing?! Voyerism at has sunk to a new low
Sacha Schroeder says
Wow! This is so disturbing. I don’t understand making money off of a young girls misfortunes.
Megan says
There’s a lot of debate online about whether it’s real or not – I’m personally going with attempted viral marketing – but you’re right that it doesn’t say great things about our society that there’s an audience for it in the first place!
Charlotte Raynor says
I’m not sure how I feel about it. The movie might be used as a learning tool against drugs, however, there are horrible scenes in it that young children should not be allowed to see.
jules p says
i think this is horrible. there are too many movies our kids should never see-whether they are 17, 13, 10, 22. it doesn’t matter. my kids never see “R” rated movies or movies with such filth in them.
maggie barnes says
This movie is disgusting—NOT for children to see!
Patricia Mohl says
I do not support or advertise this type of movie. It’s a waste of money if anyone actually pays to watch this,
rebeka deleon says
this def. makes me not want to do drugs..and maybe that is what they are trying to get across to people who are thinking about it…
Mary Mudd says
Dont think the first post went thru, so… I dont see how people would pay to see something like this. What is the world coming to? I used to hate it when my Dad would say that, but then I see things like this and it makes me say it. What in Gods name are people thinking these days, to make a movie like this?
Daniel M says
don’t want to see someone die for real bleh
Margaret Smith says
This is disgusting! They should take it down.
Cindi Decker says
Disgusting and disturbing. This definately needs to be stopped.
meegan whitford says
I dont know why they would make this into a film even in documentaries they dont show this much not even when its a celebrity who was filming their life and all was caught on film.
jeanette sheets says
this is disguisting who in their right mind would even want to watch this what is our world and society coming to im all with you on this one
Emma says
Thats pretty disgusting to think someone is profiting from this, perhaps it will bring awareness to those tepted to try the stuff tho, thats the only positive I could think of
Kathy (Kangaroo Mama) says
Wow, I hadn’t heard of this before reading your article but I for sure would not pay to watch this. What has our world come to for us to find “entertainment” in others’ sufferings or stupidity!
Arlene Whitfield says
Absolutely disgusting and so sad! I am all in for getting this garbage taken down!!!
Cynthia C says
Unbelievably sad. I don’t know who would film something like this.
Jenn says
I am speechless. I have goosebumps from watching that trailer. I have had more than a handful of friends die from drug overdose, not something to be taken lightly
Tina Seagraves says
No way… awful !!
Jennifer Holovack says
My stomach hurts now. Sick.
natalie nichols says
Wow. Don’t even know what to say.
Lanie says
I don’t even know what to say.. this is disturbing and sickning. I will do anything I can to help bring this stuff down.. this is criminal.
Don D says
Well if someone wants to see this, then they are disturbed as well…not sure of the purpose of this film.
Mike Bratek says
Now this is NOT anything that should be played out at all! I understand that maybe this happens in life, but this just gives people wrong ideas and is wrong in so many levels!!
Tina says
This is definitely not a movie for kids to see. I am definitely with you in getting this film shut down.
This movie is not anything that I myself would want to watch.
Cindy Merrill says
This is what passes for “entertainment”?? Must be a bunch of sickos who dreamed up this type of garbage. Thank GOD my grandkids have restricted “Kid safe/friendly” internet access.
sandra says
suicide is real. i don’t know if this one is but films depicting it should be able to be released. actual suicide footage shouldn’t
Kristin Gilbert says
I hope they don’t release this- I wouldn’t want anyone to see this. It is just heartbreaking!
gia says
I think it is horrible. I would never watch this.
christie lopanec says
Wow! This is REALLY so disturbing.
Heather Swarthout says
This is awful! I’m definitely on board with you on this one.
Christine L. says
I’m on board with you, it’s awful
Bidisha Banerjee says
It is really an awful and horrible incident. I support you for this.
Alicia K says
this is just wrong on so many levels. Lets rid it!
Toni Cosgrove says
This is so sad…only good that could come of it is to show kids that its not all fun and games but it should be shown differently….how sad anyone would think this is entertainmaent
Jennifer Hedden says
This is so disgusting and I can’t believe people would actually allow this movie to be shown.
Stella says
this doesn’t look like a real movie trailer because 1) it’s so poorly done and 2) they use the f-bomb.
Deb C says
Reality TV is bad enough, now this. It’s just sick, sick, sick.
Jill Myrick says
I don’t understand how anyone could think that this is appropriate to make a movie out of.
I would never let any of my children (form the youngest to the oldest) view this.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
James says
People settle down, it’s fake. It’s just being marketed like the blair witch project was. Settle down.
James says
They paid for all of the advertisement’s and so forth so they could say certain things. They are marketing it as real, which it is not. So instead of starting stupid petitions to get someone’s hard work taken out of the theater, maybe commend them for even tricking you.
James says
And by doing what you’re doing you’re only causing more “hype” for the film, so if you don’t want it to get people in the seats then stop doing things like this.
James says
Also let’s say it is real, for the sake of argument, wouldn’t you want to have people see how people with extreme wealth are treated in this country. How they easily can write a check and rid all evidence of the woman’s murder from the news/internet/and anywhere else with credible news. I think that it actually has some good to it. It’s not the death that makes it entertaining, it is the idea that these dumb asses that thought they could get away with it, will not get away with it and their continued lifestyle of believing they can own and control everything will be crushed. That’s what I take from it. Nowhere do I see something that glorifies the young woman’s death. It talks about a NYC Socialite who they are trying to expose.
Marti Parks says
All I can really say is that it’s just really, really sad. Heartbreaking, in fact.
joshua woodstock keenan says
Congrats on trying to ban something that you’ve gotten barely a preview of, take your close minded view on the world and smoke a joint. Sit down when the movie comes out, watch it then decide. Personally, I think all you people are too interested in your wholesome Christian values to allow progression in any form.
All I have to say is give it a chance then make an opinion. Maybe then you’ll finally get past something more important, like the ever present racism or the new gun control laws. Or maybe you can take your christian upbringing to protest that cult in the Midwest protesting military burials “because of homosexuals in america”. Hey look at that! Three plausible protests and none of them include a movie that hasn’t been released yet.
Get at it overbearing parents of the world, there’s real monsters in the world and you let them run amok.
Melissa Mazzur says
Wow I am discusted
Cindy says
It’s not really confirmed if this is a real story or not. It’s being marketed as a real occurrence but there has been a lot of speculation towards the validity of the story. Many people are citing it as another “Blair Witch” type film. I personally have waited two years to see this so I hope it doesn’t get shut down.
ziplocfresh says
Do a little research…this movie is not real…you people honestly believe a snuff film would be released in theaters? The whole thing is a brilliant viral marketing campaign. I wouldn’t be surprised if this article is part of it.
Pam says
This is absolutely terrible. Why would anyone want to see something like this?
Barb J says
How gullible can you be? As someone who has been interested in the grassroots marketing campaign of this film, I have to say it’s an interesting premise: haunting footage of a girl’s accidental OD and the cover up to make commentary on the influence of the wealthy in our culture. But where is your common sense? Remember The Fourth Kind? How they presented that film as real, pieced together from archive footage? In that film there was a scene of a murder suicide which should have been the BIG RED FLAG that the film wasn’t real at all. No family would accept money to exploit the death of their loved ones. Of course, that wasn’t Upper but think about it. As you’ve mentioned, showing an actual death of real people is considered snuff and would not be allowed to be shown in a theater. You’re giving in to a (very creative) marketing campaign. Don’t get me wrong, I think Upper looks like it may be an interesting film if only for the dedication the team behind it have put together to market it as “real” but use your heads! There’s no fathomable way it’s real. Play along if you want, but don’t be such a fool that you go this far.
Lillian @ My Recipe Journey says
I would not want to see a movie like that!
John Hutchens says
another film I probably will not watch
Stephanie Phelps says
I am horrified that someone would think this was a good idea or even a good film. Thank you for bringing it to the attention of parents and the movement to have it pulled!
Wendy Mastin says
don’t people have better things to do. This is horrible
RLS1520 says
You people can whine and complain all you want but this movie will be put forward. The movie has a point to get across and it will. This young girl’s death was unjustifiable and the people involving this needs to be exposed and suffer the consequences of what they all did that night. This movie just proves how messed up and corrupt our country is and how things needs to be stopped. There is porn out there, horrible B-movies and things of such, the media uncovers tragedies daily and you all are going to cry and whine and tried to get this stop because you think you all are higher…..do some research. This girl may have chose to do drugs, she is human like all of us, she all choose bad paths at some point but she didn’t deserve to die, this movie needs to hit theaters. Why don’t you people go riot something with the west Baptist church. Delete this if you want, but I will tell you one thing. This movie will be released one way or another.
ryan says
freedom of expression, freedom of speech, etc, etc. if you don’t want someone to take away your rights, don’t take away theirs. if you don’t want to see the movie, don’t go see it. simple as that. if someone does want to see it, who are you to say they can’t?
Valerie Lemoine says
I did not want to watch the trailer, so I don’t have an opinion
Sylvia Ortiz says
I agree to stop this movie.
Bonnie says
Looks like something I’d be embarrased to even be watching.
Jennifer Mae Hiles says
This is the first I’ve heard of this. Where are these kid’s parents? I guess I don’t really understand what is going on but I would think they would be suing to be this out of the theaters? Or maybe they are?
Darlene Ysaguirre says
Im with you this is disturbing on a lot of different levels
Ana says
deeply disturbing
Summer B. says
Just horrible.
Jessica says
To say this is disgusting would be a huge under statement. What is this world coming to when this is entertainment.
Charlene Shaver says
I don’t know why anyone would want to watch this!
Susan Smith says
This is horrible. How could they make this into a movie is beyond me.
summer says
Wow that is terrible.
Arthur Caudill says
I think that these people are very sick and reprehensible. I would like to see them prosecuted by the highest court. I know they will be judged for this in by the Almighty, someday.
Sara Zielinski says
This is disgusting
Dawn Justice says
I’m not sure about this one….could be a hoax but who am I to say. Although if it were a film then they wouldn’t actually kill people cause it’s acting. And if it isn’t a film as in acting then I’m disgusted.
Barbara Butler says
just Awful! is all i have to say
Jenny Cope says
I have voted to stop this movie!!
Didi M says
I have voted to stop this movie!!
Tracy R says
This is terrible…way over the line!
Colleen K says
…Pretty bad…
Kari Flores says
America has this obsession with watching train wrecks and the deadlier the better. OUr news is filled with horrible tragedies on a daily basis. Our arts and film community should not be stooping to this level. Its not the material that is appalling but the fact that this is someone’s child and to imagine watching my child’s death being shown as entertainment is mortifying and unnecessary.
NIcole Strunk says
WOW. I hope those kids are in trouble for this and not just swimming in the money they got for selling it. This is reality TV at it’s worst. I can’t imagine how painful it is for the parents of this girl.
darlene bohannon says
deeply disturbing,why distribute such mean garbage.
Chrissy says
This is disgusting on so many levels, I will be contacting him,
Atiya Y. says
What a ridiculous idea for a movie, and I truly hope that it’s a hoax.
J misses his Bro says
I lost my younger brother from a drug overdose three months ago. It still hurts to talk about his death and there are still mornings when I wake up groggy and expect to see him sleeping in his room as I pass it on the way to the bathroom. His last two days he was on a total crash course and we got in a huge argument about his drug use. He said, “Mind your own business A-hole, I’m not hurting anyone”. Those are the last words my baby brother ever spoke to me. The next morning I found him in a puddle of his own vomit and urine, dead. I cant imagine the pain I would feel if his last days would have been recorded and played in theaters across the country for the whole world to see. It is painful enough as it is without having millions of people viewing our families tragedy as entertainment, as just another Friday night out going to the movies. This movie has got to be STOPPED at all cost. My parents don’t talk about it and if they found I was writing about it they would be mad. However, if they found out that this movie is coming out it would be like them reliving his final days all over again. They would fall back into the same depression they were in the day they found out and it would be like them loosing him all over again. I am going to send a copy of this post along with some other choice words to Mark Cuban’s email. I know I am not the only one that has lost a family member recently to a drug overdose. The makers of this movie need to know that they will be hurting numerous families by releasing this film and making them relive what is more than likely the most traumatic event that has ever happened in their lives. I am reminded enough as it is that I lost my brother and best friend without a f***ing movie bringing it up, and no parent should have to bury their child let alone have to see movie trailers to drag those memories back up. Mark Cuba needs to understand that NO AMOUNT OF MONEY IS WORTH CAUSING YOUR FELLOW HUMANS SO MUCH EMOTIONAL PAIN AND AGONY.
wallywonks says
I am so sorry for your loss! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Brad Merrell says
This movie would make you upset, therefore you shouldn’t watch it. It doesn’t mean you should stop the movie from being released. You can’t just hide from any media talking about his sort of thing. The website for this movie says that it’s real, but it’s not. All these kinds of movies say that they’re real so that people go see them. Sorry about your brother.
Paul Conrad says
Horrible…needs to stop
Sarah L says
Yuk. That’s all. Just Yuk.
Karenly S. says
I have voted to stop this movie
Marcia Moan says
I don’t like it but I believe in freedom of speech
crissi mcveay says
how discusting, this is terrible
Brad Merrell says
Everybody stop blindly following what people are saying. First of all, only an idiot would ever consider bringing a child to this kind of movie. The same way you would never bring a child to see any R rated movie. It’s not suppose to be for kids! Second, the movie is not real. It is not actual found footage, it’s actors acting. Don’t believe everything your told. Do some research before you believe things. This movie is no worse than any other movie of it’s kind. It’s also not “illegal” as the review above says. This movie being released will not affect you at all. Just live with it.
Lisa Sicora says
I can’t believe that they would actually make this into a film. Who would want to go see it? I don’t get it. This is terrible!!!
steve says
ridiculous
Bill Elliott says
Our children see enough bad things on TV and in Movies, they don;t need encouragement to kill thereselves.
terri tillman says
i hate the fact that trash like this is available on the web. i did not even watch the video. i too cant believe mark is involved with it at all. i know that you are trying to do a good thing by attempting to put a stop to it but i am not sure of the difference between mark showing it to everyone and you showing it to everyone. i definitely think your heart is in the right place but i dont think you should be showing this video.
Holly Hook says
Some people just don’t know when to stop.
Evelyn B says
I can’t bring myself to watch the video. i’m almost certain the film is a gimmick but why is shock value so common in our culture. If one would be appalled by “real” events such as these why are we not against dramatized versions as well.
Brandi says
The big thing people are missing here is that this movie is not just a “shock film” about a girl’s overdose. Her death occurs over the course of the movie but the movie is about what happens after and the way these wealthy brats try to cover it up and get away with her death that they’re accessories to. Whether it’s real or fake the wealthy in the US do have quite a bit of affluence. Upper is most definitely not targeted to kids either. It will at least be rated R for the drug use in it. The events that unfold are appalling and the dramatized version should emphasize that and get people thinking.
Chrystal D says
I think it shows people what can happen when you get into the bad drugs.
Lisa Walker says
This is a disgusting idea for a film.
Ed Nemmers says
I would not want to watch this. I even abhor boxing.
Buddy Garrett says
I support stopping this film. I don’t understand why anyone would want to see it.
Laura Bradley says
I agree with getting rid of this film!
Melissa Shirley says
This is sad that someone wants to make money on something like this.
Maria G. says
What’s the progress on this? I just checked their Facebook page and it seems as if the film is still coming out without issue. Are any of you actually tweeting and emailing Mark Cuban as I have? We need to get this thing stopped.
heather c says
Disturbing, whether it’s real or not. This must be the ‘next level’ we’re going to entertain people. Great!
Monica Nerney says
I’m with you. Stop the film. I don’t care what who paid for, I do not want my children, niece or grandaughter to see this garbage. Shame Shame on all who make money this way.
Taryn Cain says
This is disgusting. I retweeted for you.
Chris says
Has it ever occurred to you “hardcore religious folk” that maybe it’s trying to bring awareness to drug abuse and missing persons? And maybe if you don’t like the movie, you don’t have to see it?
Tiffany says
oh no! I just saw the trailer… this movie looks awful! Who would pay to watch people destroy themselves?
Ellie says
It’s not a real snuff film, they are illegal and would not be put into production. Drugs and everywhere and if anything this would be an anti drug film, even though you might asee it as people indulging in drug use..but the girl dies and therefore showing people the darkside of this lifestyle.
unkown specimen says
snuff films go around the black market these days and this is nothing compared to other stuff
Ronda says
IT GOT SHUT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!
wallywonks says
I know! Woohoo! I just updated with another post http://www.giveawaybandit.com/it-protesters-shut-premiere-upper-footage/
Lesberatti says
If this is being released in a limited omlie engagement then it’s not really a snuff film, because real snuff films are difficuklt to come by and horrible to watch.