Lena Dunham supports the removal of the dissection scene where corpses of real cats were used in the next HBO Max series, Generation
The next HBO Max drama series, Genera + ion, is expected to give a realistic view of school life in the modern world.
But it seems that the program’s realistic premise has gone too far in one instance, even for its high-profile executive producer, Lena Dunham.
The creator and star of The Girls denounced a scene set in a biology class, where actors dissected dead real cats.
Speaking out: Lena Dunham denounced the use of corpses of real cats in a scene from HBO Max’s Genera + ion series, which announces the Girls star as executive producer
The controversy apparently went public when a tweet from @Lilith_Rosex was shared on Friday claiming that the production team had ‘brought in real dead kittens to be “dissected” on set. Without warning, people had trauma responses. ‘
That same person shared a second tweet about how a program videographer tested positive for COVID-19, but the production team did not release the information before the scene with the dead cats.
Dunham didn’t hear about the accusations in the tweets until the next day because she hadn’t shown up on set. She is currently in London, England, recording her new film, Catherine, Called Birdy, which she wrote and is directing.
Taking control: HBO Max revealed that the scene in question will be removed from the episode, and Dunham states that it was not on set when it was shot; some of the young and unknown actors in the series are portrayed
‘I am committed to my life and work with the integrity, humane and ethical treatment of animals. I don’t use animal carcasses in any of my jobs, ever, and I wasn’t on set or aware that they were used in a scene recently filmed depicting a biology class job, ‘Dunham said in a statement to the Variety.
She ended by adding, ‘I fully support the scene being edited from the show.’
His statement came shortly after HBO Max confirmed that two of the extras left the set due to discomfort and that the scene would be edited outside the show.
‘Genera + ion portrays the unfiltered experiences of high school students and is extracted from many moments of training in the lives of the program’s writers. The production recently filmed scenes depicting a biology classroom assignment involving the dissection of animal specimens. These were obtained ethically in consultation with American Humane through a biological supply company that works with schools, ‘said an HBO Max spokesman in a statement to Variety.
Across the pond: Dunham has been in London, England recently, quarantined for 14 days before filming for her new Catherine film, Called Birdy, which she wrote and is directing
He also noted that ‘all [in the scene] those involved were informed in advance that it would be a delicate scene involving a real dissection; assistant directors checked regularly with all participants on the set, and two background actors who expressed discomfort were released with full payment. ‘
Sources confirmed that a team member had tested positive for COVID-19 and has since been isolated, but that the production team learned of the test results after the day ended, which contradicts the second tweet.
The series was temporarily closed as a precaution and will resume according to safety guidelines as soon as it is considered safe.
Genera + ion was created by Zelda Barnz, 19, and her father, Daniel Barnz. It stars mainly unknown actors, along with veterans Martha Plimpton and Justice Smith.
Genera + ion is expected to debut on HBO Max in the spring of 2021.
Coming soon: Genera + ion is due to debut on HBO Max in the spring of 2021; Martha Plimpton (left) is arguably the best-known actress in the cast