Please read this article first if you aren't familiar with "United 93"
Newsweek-'United 93':Is U.S. ready for a 9/11 film?
A very controversial subject in the the news lately, "United 93" is the first feature film about 911 to hit theatres. My roommates and I just recently went to see the movie "Inside Man" this past weekend, and "United 93" was one of the previews. I had actually never heard anything about this movie before this past weekend. I had eerie/mixed feelings about the preview while watching it and couldn't stop thinking about what people directly involved with the attack must be feeling. I do not know anyone personally involved with 911 and felt horrified that people were going to make money from such a disgusting act of violence. But then wait..what about the movie we are about to watch in class this next week, "Schindler's List". So then I thought well, it is way too soon to revisit 911. I did a little research and come to find out before filming "United 93" they (producers..film makers etc.) got permission from the victim's families who were killed in flight United 93. This made me feel a little better about the movie and now I am considering watching it when it comes out. If the families of the victims are ready that must say something.
What does everyone else think? Are we ready for this film to come out?
5 comments:
It is hard to tell stories of traumatic events.
This week, Jews and Christians will be retelling ancient stories of traumatic events in the founding history of their respective movements.
In many ways, 9/11 is like Tisha B'Av, the dark date on the Jewish calendar when both the First and Second Temples were destroyed.
In the US, 9/11 marks the date in which our enemies attacked two of our most sacred secular temples -- the Twin Temples of Mammon and Chronos and the Temple of Mars.
Half a century ago, Kristalnacht reminded us of the power of such politically destructive moments.
Sooner or later, we have to tell the stories of these religious, political, and cultural traumas.
To me it still seems too close for comfort. Yeah, we have had Schindler's List and Pearl Harbor and those kinds of films, but they came half a century after the events they depicted.
I feel it's important that we don't forget the events that both keep our country together. Do you remember the unity after 9/11? It has mostly dissipated since then. So the question is, would a Hollywood film do a good job of showing it, or is going to be a lot of sensationalistic stuff? I'm sorry, but that Pearl Harbor movie was not one of my favorites. Schindler's List, on the other hand, was great.
As to Moulton's comments, I agree, the stories need to be told, sooner or later, but is their method of telling - a Hollywood film - the best way of telling it? I feel that it is not.
I think it is still too soon for som people. I think it was honorable that they received permission from the victim's families on United 93.
Last night I was talking to some friends about this exact movie. We talked about how dramatic it must be and how none of us want to see it.
I still think that it is possibly too soon for some but others will appreciate the story being told. I only worry that Hollywood might add some sensationalistic parts. I do agree with Moulton that these storie need to be told.
Sadly some people may not know that the victim's families gave permission for their stories to be told. I do agree with galit that if the families of victims are ready than other people can as well.
I know a movie may be weird to watch but it is a way to tell the story for future generations. Like "The Killing Fields" and "Schindler's List." These are hard movies to watch but the stories need to be told.
When I watched the trailer for this movie, I got that sinking feeling in my heart. I am hardly connected to anything specific about 9/11 besides the fact that I'm an American, which suddenly makes me extremely connected. However, I don't know a single person who died in any of those planes that day, nor do I know of anyone else who knows someone who died in it. Yet if I have that feeling in my own heart, not to be cheesy, I can't imagine what emotions would be provoked by this film in people who were connected moreso with the event. I just want to cry for those people.
However, the movies that evoke the most emotion are the ones likely to be remembered most, and 9/11 is an event that deserves remembrance. In a way, it seems that the U.S. has forgotten what happened that day, and the unity the nation felt has disappeared. This movie may be what America needs to help us, in a small way, come together again.
I completely respect the decision to get permission from the victims' families. If the families are willing to give full cooperation, they must know of the importance of the story. If they can let it all out, they deserve to be listened to.
I watched this film... ..United 93. It was extremely well-made in my opinion. There were scenes that were veryy difficult to watch, just like in Schindler's List and the Killing Fields. It touched a very personal chord because this is MY country that is being terrorized. It is essential that these events that are so much a part our our American history are conveyed to all who WISH to see it. I would hope that the filmakers would have respect for those patriotic heros involved in this tragedy to not "overdo" the drama and sensationalize these sad events. But I feel that the events need to be portrayed in a believable and accurate way. I thank the families who gave permission to make this film. They are heros too. I give it a big Thumbs Up.
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