Is it too soon for these 9/11 films?

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on March 27, 2006

Just this morning I watched for the first time, the trailer for the newly re-titled United 93. This film was very recently called Flight 93. As the title eludes to, this is a film that chronicles the doomed 4th plane that was hijacked on the morning of September 11, 2001. The film is directed by Paul Greengrass, whose previous work includes Bloody Sunday and The Bourne Supremacy. This trailer, unlike the previously released trailer for the film, shows actual footage, including but not limited to the terrorist hijackers and the other planes hitting the World Trade Center. And normally after seeing any trailer, I am left with a sense of whether or not the film looks interesting enough to see. Sadly this film disturbs me.

Along with Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center, this film represents what I can forsee as a upcoming slue of 9/11 films. And I am forced to deal with the internal conflict of whether it is too soon to be seeing movies such as this. I consider of some of the great films that have chronicled horrific tragedies in the history of man, Schindler’s List comes to mind, and I think about their timeliness and relevancy. Schinder’s List was made in 1993, long after the Holocaust had been over. And even though there are some in this world who are forever scared by the events that took place during that time period, there was a significant gap needed before a very powerful and honest film could be made portraying these events.

I believe the same is true about the tragic events of 9/11, indisputably the most horrific tragedy in the history of the United States. And while not all of us were there in New York, every American was impacted on that day more than any other day in their lives. It changed so much of how we live, and for a time took us hostage with the fear that it may happen again. So why relive that fear now? Why bring back the vivid images of such an unnerving event to the generation that lived through it? I understand wanting to tell the stories of all the heroes, and wanting to bring light to what really happened on board Flight 93 and inside the WTC, but maybe we should leave it to the documentaries for now.

The other emerging problem in my mind is that with every new trailer I see for one of these films, no matter how disturbing it may be, I also see the gross potential to turn the events of 9/11 into a collection of scenes from movies like Air Force One. The potential to cheapen the film and make it another action flick is almost strikingly apparent in the Flight 93 trailer, which depicts clips of a control room where decisions are being made whether or not to shoot the plane down. And while we do not have the ability to truly tell if this is the case until the film comes out in late April, I can see that the potential is there for disaster.

In the end I believe that these films may be met with resistance from the American public. No matter how great their production value, no matter how compelling their story, and no matter how accurate they are, the question will remain unanswered, at least for now, as to whether the American people are really ready to relive such a deeply wounding event with such a short time of healing. The success of these films will not be a question of their quality, but a question of the readiness of the minds and hearts of the people of America. I for one am not sure whether I am ready to see such a disturbing display of inhumanity on screen again, as I have already seen it once. I watched it live.

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  • Dani
    Yeah...I definitely had a problem watching that trailer. Initially I didn't think it would bother me, but I got that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach having a visual reminder of that day and all the implications to which it led.

    It's too damn soon, Hollywood. Too damn soon.
  • SPC Gerboc
    Very insightful article! I am a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Everyday while in Iraq, i was forced to look through the eyes of killers. The same eyes that were responisble for the horrific tragedies that our nation suffered. Because of these acts, soldiers such as myself, are inevitably going to spend coutnless years fighting overseas and away from their loved ones. 9/11 is something that I mourn each and every day, as do many Americans. Films are a powerful media. They are a way to convey emotion in a very bold way. To take these events and put them up for all to see, will create even more controversy towards the already heated war. It is my firm belief that these movies are not being made to commemorate a great tragedy and remember those who were fallen, but merely as a money making sceme. You decide.
  • Jim
    I can't believe that anyone could think it's too soon. I for one will never forget nor be afraid to be reminded of the events of that day. If we are trying to forget then it will always be too soon and we've already lost the battle .
  • The big O
    "I believe the same is true about the tragic events of 9/11, indisputably the most horrific tragedy in the history of the United States" Ummmm, I believe that would be uh, SLAVERY. Thanks though. It's so nice how white America tends to forget that "little blemish" in our history. BTW, the events depicted in Amistad are much more tragic than the Holocaust. Don't get me wrong I have all the love in the world for my Jewish brethren. But I think that the 400 million people who died in the slave trade, is a little bit more horrible than 12 million in the holocaust. Both are the 2 worst events in the history of this planet but the slave trade definatly takes first billing. Not trying to make waves but uh...... remember us?!?!?!? Thanks again, brothers.
  • The big O
    "every American was impacted on that day more than any other day in their lives." Wrong again. You don't speak for every American. The day that impacted me most was 3 different days actually; 1. The day Malcolm X was assasinated 2.The day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assasinated 3. The first time I ever saw Alex Haley's 'Roots' 4. The first time I ever saw the movie 'Rosewood' 5. The first time I saw the movie 'Amistad' 6. 9/11. Again, you don't speak for all americans. Americans come in all shades and methinks you are only speaking for one particular shade, that's fine but you're not the only ones here, perhaps you should consider this the next time you make a general statement like "every American" maybe change it to what you know "every white American", just a thought.
  • The big O
    " Everyday while in Iraq, i was forced to look through the eyes of killers. The same eyes that were responisble for the horrific tragedies that our nation suffered." Oh, really??? I think I could say the same thing about being a black man in America. Why not look in the mirror first??? The horrors and indignities perpetrated my "America" at home and abroad are the reason for such things. You are lucky you aren't fighting a war at home against your own people. The day that the Native Americans, African Americans and Mexican Americans all decide we've had enough and fight back is the day you need to be concerned about. The only true minority in this world are Caucasians, there are less of you than any other race on this planet and your reccesive genes aren't helping your case. So I apologize for bursting your little bubble, private, but you need to be concerned with the revolution.
  • The big O-ver zealous
    "Don't sweat it Leejf, it's just how white people are, they think they are superior to everyone else" "Again, you don't speak for all americans. Americans come in all shades and methinks you are only speaking for one particular shade" "next time you make a general statement like “every American” maybe change it to what you know “every white American”"...All quotes from The big O...you don't want African Americans generalized, then why subject "white Americans" to a gross generalization such as "it's just how white people are, they think they are superior to everyone else." Thats hypocritical
  • I have taken African American History courses and have many black friends. I do not claim to have any knowledge of being African American or anything like it. I know that none of my black friends share your sentiments. So next time you want to sound off about a revolution...you dont speak for all African Americans. Caucasions are the minority, and if it weren't for the travesty of slavery, America would not be what it is today. America was built on the backs of slaves. I'm not proud of that as an American and I think America does owe a debt to African Americans. Keep in mind though, the majority of Americans are immigrants. My father's family came from Ireland, and my mother's family came from Italy. My great grandfathers had nothing to do with slavery...alot like the majority of Americans who are the grandsons and granddaughters of immigrants.
  • The big O
    Brian, If your ancestors didn't have anything to do with it than your conscience should be clear. As for your "black friends" feeling the same way I do, why on earth would they tell you???? Oh and while you're on your immigration soap box how do you feel about our mexican brothers and sisters being in this country?????? All I was saying was with tragedies like the theft of this country from the Native Americans and Slavery, it is insulting to say 9/11 is the worst tragedy in American history, and it seems to be quite self centered to call it such.

    And to the person who called me hypocritical isn't that the pot calling the kettle...................................... :)
  • The big O
    "I have taken African American History courses and have many black friends." Ooooooooooooooooooooooh the next Malcolm X in the makin over here. lol
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