Michael Casey’s AP story on the filming of “Aftermath” — the upcoming HBO/BBC mini-series about the 2004 tsumani — begins with this anecdote:

Initially, Boonlue Mongkhol objected to his village being used for a TV miniseries about the 2004 tsunami. He lost his loved ones in the disaster and didn’t want to relive the tragedy.

But when the British Broadcasting Corp. advertised for extras, the 38-year-old businessman put aside his personal feelings and spent five days portraying a corpse and a body collector ? earning $13 a day.

“My father, niece and nephew died there,” said Boonlue, who also lost his house, seafood restaurant and mini market when the massive waves hit Khao Lak on Dec. 26, 2004. “I didn’t want to do it but there is no other way to earn money.”

Your family just died — wanna play a corpse? This certainly takes the ethical debate over post-traumatic filmmaking to another level.

Other controversial moves — besides putting up fliers encouraging victims to become extras — included filming on a main road that was devastated by the giant waves.

The article is well worth reading. The producer certainly defends herself. It’s time the debate entered the broader cultural conversation, though.