The city of Hialeah is at the center of a brewing controversy following the release of "The Rip," a new Netflix film led by stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The film's portrayal of the city has sparked criticism, particularly from Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo, who has not only expressed his dissatisfaction but is also considering legal action against the movie's producers. In a news conference reported by NBC Miami, Calvo described the film as a "slap in the face to our law enforcement personnel" and emphasized that Hialeah should not be misrepresented to global audiences.
According to Local 10, Mayor Calvo pointed out that, although "The Rip" is based on an event that occurred in Miami Lakes the filmmakers opted to set their story in Hialeah. Critically, Calvo notes his concern for how the film's depiction could impact the future investment, in the city. Moreover, most of the film was not even shot in Hialeah or Miami but in locations such as New Jersey and Los Angeles, further disassociating the production from the real-life setting it claims to portray.
"The Rip" currently sits at the top of Netflix's global movie list, creating a larger platform for the mayor's concerns about Hialeah's image to an international audience. Moreover, Mayor Calvo shared that Hialeah ranks as the second safest major city in Florida and falls within the top 15% of safest major cities in the United States, details that contradict the movie's narrative of corruption and unsafe conditions. "This movie is a slap in the face to our law enforcement personnel, and I want to go over a few of the statistics that are relevant," Calvo said in the NBC Miami interview.
Mayor Calvo's specific complaints include the filmmakers' decision to feature Hialeah police officers as corrupt and the misuse of the city's name and seal. "This patch," Calvo said, pointing to a Hialeah Police officer's patch on his right arm, "is showcased in film and when they refer to what this patch…and they say that all Hialeah Police officers are corrupt, and that is a massive disrespect to the city, and as mayor, I absolutely have to stand up and protect the image of the city." These statements refer to both the impact on Hialeah's image and potential copyright infringements, as suggested by Calvo during his news conference covered by NBC Miami.
The situation continues to unfold as some Hialeah police officers have retained counsel, possibly leading to a lawsuit against the film's producers. Mayor Calvo has also mentioned that, while pursuing a lawsuit is not his priority, they are considering options for how to address the perceived misrepresentation of Hialeah in "The Rip."
