Controversial Movie 'Concussion' Out On Christmas Day
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The highly controversial movie "Concussion" will be out in U.S. theaters on Christmas Day.
Will Smith stars as Nigerian forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu, who uncovered the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former Pittsburgh football players that died in sudden and tragic deaths.
The Sony Pictures film, garnering awards buzz especially for Smith's performance, comes at a time where head trauma is a hot button topic in the NFL.
Writer-director Peter Landesman is hoping for a change in the way sports are played.
He says the film is meant to give audiences information so that they can make up their own minds about the safety of the sport. "I would never tell another parent or another teenager or adult what to do," he said. "The film embraces what a conflicting problem this is."
"Concussion" explores Omalu's journey to make his CTE research known to the NFL. While the NFL did not respond for comment on the screenings, the organization has previously said regarding the movie, "We welcome any conversation about player health and safety."
Sony this week said it will offer all NFL team owners, players and their families free entry to screenings of the movie.
