BOSTON (WHDH) - Celebrities and local officials walked the red carpet Wednesday evening at the Wang Theater for a special screening of “Patriots Day.”
The movie stars Dorchester native Mark Wahlberg and depicts the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the search for the suspects. Wahlberg said he initially did not want to do a movie about the bombing but changed his mind as a show of respect for Boston.
“It happened in my hometown and I felt an enormous sense of pride seeing how my community responded and I felt like, we need to share that story and tell it with everybody,” said Wahlberg.
Wahlberg and director Peter Berg made empathy and accuracy their top priorities. Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, who is portrayed by John Goodman in the movie, said everyone treated the story with respect.
“It brings back a lot of heartwrenching moments from that week, especially when you see the victims,” said former FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Richard DesLauriers.
Several bombing survivors already saw the movie and said they found it very emotional. Bombing survivors Patrick and Jessica Downes attended the screening and Patrick said they found the movie beautiful but sad.
“Patriots Day” opens in a limited run in Boston next week before it opens nationwide in January.
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