Lena Dunham has found herself in hot water yet again, to write the screenplay for a new feature film telling the true story of a Syrian refugee.
Produced by Hollywood heavyweights Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams, the film is an adaptation of Melissa Fleming's best-selling book A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea: One Refugee's Incredible Story of Love, Loss, and Survival, which was released in 2017.
Unsurprisingly, social media users were quick to point out that Dunham, who lives in New York City, may not be the most suitable or authentic voice to tell the story of a Syrian refugee.
"Can I respectfully suggest that if this project happens, you involve as many Syrians and refugees as possible in the making of it?" one social media user tweeted the Girls creator.
They added: "You have a huge platform to get stories out, but I think it would be a sign of good faith to include the people whose story you are telling."
While most were critical of the hiring, others pointed out that Dunham, 32, was taking most of the heat for the film's handling, whereas Abrams and Spielberg were being let off the hook.
"I don't enjoy how much the internet hates you, but I can't stay silent," wrote another follower.
She continued: "I believe it is up to white women to help educate other white women, even if I am much younger than you. So Lena, PLEASE DON'T DO THIS. This is not your story to tell. Let an actual Syrian tell it. PLEASE!!!!"
According to , the film will be released through Paramount Pictures and tells the true story of Doaa Al Zamel, a mother of two who fled Egypt for Sweden by boat. After her boat shipwrecked, Ak Zamel defied all odds and managed to survive for days in open water with her two small children, using only one flotation ring.
