ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER's explosive new movie Collateral Damage (2001) is under fire again after the action man hosted a benefit for 800 New York World Trade Center firefighters and rescue workers on 6th February 2002). The film, in which Arnie plays a firefighter on the hunt for the Colombian terrorists who killed his family, has been attacked for its portrayal of Colombians and for cashing in on the 11 September (2001) attacks on America.

And now Arnie, the first star to publicly donate cash to the September 11 Fund, and bosses at movie studio Warner Brothers have been criticised for staging a publicity-driven screening and calling it a benefit - while former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been attacked for attending. Robert Ungar, a spokesman for the Uniformed Emergency Medical Technicians And Paramedics Association, says, "We are disappointed that former Mayor Giuliani is lending his stature to this opening, which we believe exploits firefighters and their families. To release this movie so soon after the disaster at the Trade Center smacks of capitalising on the heroism of the people and, because of the storyline, on their families. "

Uniformed Fire Officers Association president Pete Gorman adds, "It always saddens us when a tragedy like September 11 is used to promote something like a movie. That's just not right. " But Schwarzenegger, speaking at last night's screening, insists he's doing nothing wrong. He said, "No matter what the press tries to do, this is an upbeat thing. These people are my heroes. " The film was actually scheduled for release last October (2001), but was put back due to the World Trade Center disaster. It comes out in America on Friday 8th February 2002.

Source: WENN