Here's an email sent to me from my friend Mindy who was living right outside Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2001: When I saw the preview I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. I turned to my husband and asked him if he thought it was too soon for a movie like this. He agreed with me and said yes. The preview seemed to go on and on and I got more and more angry. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. The movie is a detailed account of what happened that day from the point of view of the pilots, flight attendants, passengers, terrorists, and the ground and air controllers. For me, it brought up so many emotions. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Don't we all? I'm just not sure if I want to feel all those emotions again so soon. I agree that we need to "Never Forget" as it says on the website, and of course I believe in free speech and all that good stuff we love about the USA... BUT this may be one movie I don't watch at all, or it may be one I watch with my grandkids some day when they are studying it in their history classes.
It says the film has the approval of all the families that were onboard that flight which really surprised me, but that also makes me curious to see the movie at the same time. I really hope the families will be receiving some of the money this movie has the potential to make. If they don't I hope they have good lawyers!
Is it too soon for a reinactment so life-like? Am I the only one who is confused about seeing a movie to "Never Forget" and honor those who died on 9/11 and their loved ones? Personally, I'm reminded every time I see those bumper stickers. I'm reminded every time I watch the news and hear certain words and phrases that I can't write in an email b/c i'm paranoid after living here near D.C. that Big Brother is reading my emails! I'm also reminded around here when I see men/women in their military uniforms around our church. I don't know what some of them do in their jobs, but I do know that they come straight in from work to come to church sometimes. I do believe they all play a part in protecting all of us and our freedoms. Okay, now I'm just rambling! That's how much this preview got to me!!!
I agree with everyone here. I think it's way too soon for a movie like this. I, also, lived about a mile or two from the Pentagon during 9/11. I believe we have mutual friends who lived in NYC during 9/11. We don't need reminders. We don't need to know what happened. We know because we lived it. I do agree with Amanda- every penny should be donated to the families. I'm ashamed of these Americans who are capitalizing on the tragedies of fellow Americans- especially when the pain is so recent and so fresh.
It's too soon. Looking at that website gave me the chills. I don't know much about the movie except that one of the theaters here stopped showing the trailer. I certainly don't plan on seeing it, but then I haven't been down to Ground Zero either. I dunno, maybe the film makers were really moved to make it. Maybe I'm being naive.
Sadly I disagree with these comments. People across the country are forgetting what happened. Maybe not in D.C., or NYC, or in Penn. but time is taking it's effect on the pains of 9-11. People are forgetting that we are at war. People are forgetting that there are people in the world that hate our lives and our freedoms here in America. Americans are forgetting that the freedoms we have are a gift. A real reminder of how fragile our lives are and how important our loved ones are and how quickly it can all be taken away is a good thing. Since the families that lost loved ones back the film, then I support the reminder that this film will give the American people.
I do not think that there will ever be an appropriate time for this kind of movie, especially now. The only acceptable film on this subject would be some type of documentary, in the documentary genre. This would both allow the viewer to gain insight into the events on the plane that day and allow the viewer to sift fact from fiction, emotion from imbelishment. Making this type of film, a drama on the events, skews the viewer's understanding by placing emphasis on events that may or may not have even occured. What's easier: knowing your husband died a hero by overtaking a terrorist or not knowing and wondering if he just sat there in fear? We can never truly know what actually happened on that plane, so why speculate? Why fill in fluff and lies to make ourselves feel better about patriotism? Truthfully, I'm not worried about where the money to this film goes; I'm more worried about where the almost 3 billion dollars that has gone to Hurricane Kratrina relief, yet thousands are still homeless and relocated. Why don't we here more about this in the news? The war in Iraq? Is there even any way to tell how much money has been spent on it? The familes whole lost loved ones on 9/11 will be rewarded with $.30 hike at the pump this summer (though it is implicit that I feel in part that the war is to secure interests, it hasn't even done that well).
Byron, I'm not sure that anyone has forgot what happened, or that this film will help them to remember. If anything this film will help them to forget by positing false memories where no memories should exist. I also don't think that people are forgetting we are at war. I think that most people feel that the actions of our government are beyond their control. Therefore, most people take the position of apathy. I don't think that their are people in the world who hate our freedom as much as there are people who hate our government! And when our freedom comes at the cost of poor work conditions to those in other countries, religious oppression, and death, then yes, I do think people should hate us. Our freedom that others hate is our freedom to not care. As Americans, more than any other peoples, we have developed ways that allows us to be free of responsibilities, to other countries and people, the environment, and most importantly, to those of our God. Yet we have creatively delusioned ourselves into believing this not be the case; though we get upset and angry when other nations burn our flag and dummies of our president in their streets. To your point "Americans are forgetting that the freedoms we have are a gift." This would be more powerful if more Americans embraced the freedoms that mattered rather than the ones I discussed above. Sorry if this is too soap box, and Byron, i don't intend to attack you, the fact is I both disagree and lament with you.
I think that if it's not too soon for the families of the those on board that flight that day then it's not too soon for us. Whether or not we watch it is our own personal decision. I will not watch it. I can not stand to watch films that depict violence and terror real or imagined. I personally don't need a filmmaker's take on the situation to help me remember and I certainly don't need any "imagined memories" in my head about an event for which we have no eyewitness account.
How soon is too soon? How late is too late? I wonder how war veterans feel when they see Hollywood portrayals of the wars they fought? Should profits from war movies (and there are plenty) go to help the families of soldiers and war victims? I'm not sure I have answers to any of these questions, but I am grateful to live in a country where we are free to question.
As far as "placing emphasis on events that may or may not have even occurred" is concerned; no one can ever know what exactly happened on Flight 93, we only have recorded voices to give us a glimpse into the final moments. Much like we only have written accounts and photos from the Civil War. But should that stop someone from trying to tell a story? Is making a film about the Civil War "fluff and lies to make ourselves feel better about patriotism?" Even documentary films require some amount of speculation from the producer and the viewer. Speculation is what helps us mend our thoughts and emotions so we can understand. If this film helps people heal, helps people understand, or helps people remember, then so be it. If you disagree with the film, don't watch it. After you don't watch the film, then you can sit down and criticize it even more.
As for watching the film, I will watch it when i'm ready. Maybe that's next month, maybe it's never, I don't know.
Digigirl, "Is making a film about the Civil War 'fluff and lies to make ourselves feel better'"?
That all depends on when it is made and how it portrays the Civil war. My point is that this movie has come too soon; also, it is being advertised like an action thriller. Most Civil war films are based on first and second-hand accounts of the events that have analyzed for over 100 years by historians. Most historians who have analyzed these events construct well-reasoned arguements for how the events occured. This film is perhaps less acredited in that respect.
"Speculation is what helps us mend our thoughts and emotions so we can understand." I absolutely agree (many leave emotion out of this equation). My worry is that the speculating is being done for us by people who have other interests in mind, namely money and propoganda.
If my previous post seemed too critical I apoligize, especially to Byron.
I remember reading about another society some years back that took death, and made it into entertainment. They did it real-time. My fear is that in this case the drama of life and death (which are both precious and sacred) are being re-packaged into entertainment. It's not real-time, but it's getting pretty close. My guess is that America will buy in big... not because we don't value life, but because we are beginning to value entertainment more. This movie is not a memorial, it is entertainment.
12 Comments:
Here's an email sent to me from my friend Mindy who was living right outside Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2001:
When I saw the preview I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. I turned to my husband and asked him if he thought it was too soon for a movie like this. He agreed with me and said yes. The preview seemed to go on and on and I got more and more angry. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. The movie is a detailed account of what happened that day from the point of view of the pilots, flight attendants, passengers, terrorists, and the ground and air controllers. For me, it brought up so many emotions. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Don't we all? I'm just not sure if I want to feel all those emotions again so soon. I agree that we need to "Never Forget" as it says on the website, and of course I believe in free speech and all that good stuff we love about the USA... BUT this may be one movie I don't watch at all, or it may be one I watch with my grandkids some day when they are studying it in their history classes.
It says the film has the approval of all the families that were onboard that flight which really surprised me, but that also makes me curious to see the movie at the same time. I really hope the families will be receiving some of the money this movie has the potential to make. If they don't I hope they have good lawyers!
Is it too soon for a reinactment so life-like? Am I the only one who is confused about seeing a movie to "Never Forget" and honor those who died on 9/11 and their loved ones? Personally, I'm reminded every time I see those bumper stickers. I'm reminded every time I watch the news and hear certain words and phrases that I can't write in an email b/c i'm paranoid after living here near D.C. that Big Brother is reading my emails! I'm also reminded around here when I see men/women in their military uniforms around our church. I don't know what some of them do in their jobs, but I do know that they come straight in from work to come to church sometimes. I do believe they all play a part in protecting all of us and our freedoms. Okay, now I'm just rambling! That's how much this preview got to me!!!
I agree with everyone here. I think it's way too soon for a movie like this. I, also, lived about a mile or two from the Pentagon during 9/11. I believe we have mutual friends who lived in NYC during 9/11. We don't need reminders. We don't need to know what happened. We know because we lived it. I do agree with Amanda- every penny should be donated to the families. I'm ashamed of these Americans who are capitalizing on the tragedies of fellow Americans- especially when the pain is so recent and so fresh.
It's too soon. Looking at that website gave me the chills. I don't know much about the movie except that one of the theaters here stopped showing the trailer. I certainly don't plan on seeing it, but then I haven't been down to Ground Zero either. I dunno, maybe the film makers were really moved to make it. Maybe I'm being naive.
Sadly I disagree with these comments. People across the country are forgetting what happened. Maybe not in D.C., or NYC, or in Penn. but time is taking it's effect on the pains of 9-11. People are forgetting that we are at war. People are forgetting that there are people in the world that hate our lives and our freedoms here in America. Americans are forgetting that the freedoms we have are a gift. A real reminder of how fragile our lives are and how important our loved ones are and how quickly it can all be taken away is a good thing. Since the families that lost loved ones back the film, then I support the reminder that this film will give the American people.
I do not think that there will ever be an appropriate time for this kind of movie, especially now. The only acceptable film on this subject would be some type of documentary, in the documentary genre. This would both allow the viewer to gain insight into the events on the plane that day and allow the viewer to sift fact from fiction, emotion from imbelishment.
Making this type of film, a drama on the events, skews the viewer's understanding by placing emphasis on events that may or may not have even occured. What's easier: knowing your husband died a hero by overtaking a terrorist or not knowing and wondering if he just sat there in fear?
We can never truly know what actually happened on that plane, so why speculate? Why fill in fluff and lies to make ourselves feel better about patriotism?
Truthfully, I'm not worried about where the money to this film goes; I'm more worried about where the almost 3 billion dollars that has gone to Hurricane Kratrina relief, yet thousands are still homeless and relocated. Why don't we here more about this in the news?
The war in Iraq? Is there even any way to tell how much money has been spent on it? The familes whole lost loved ones on 9/11 will be rewarded with $.30 hike at the pump this summer (though it is implicit that I feel in part that the war is to secure interests, it hasn't even done that well).
Byron,
I'm not sure that anyone has forgot what happened, or that this film will help them to remember. If anything this film will help them to forget by positing false memories where no memories should exist. I also don't think that people are forgetting we are at war. I think that most people feel that the actions of our government are beyond their control. Therefore, most people take the position of apathy.
I don't think that their are people in the world who hate our freedom as much as there are people who hate our government! And when our freedom comes at the cost of poor work conditions to those in other countries, religious oppression, and death, then yes, I do think people should hate us. Our freedom that others hate is our freedom to not care. As Americans, more than any other peoples, we have developed ways that allows us to be free of responsibilities, to other countries and people, the environment, and most importantly, to those of our God. Yet we have creatively delusioned ourselves into believing this not be the case; though we get upset and angry when other nations burn our flag and dummies of our president in their streets.
To your point "Americans are forgetting that the freedoms we have are a gift." This would be more powerful if more Americans embraced the freedoms that mattered rather than the ones I discussed above.
Sorry if this is too soap box, and Byron, i don't intend to attack you, the fact is I both disagree and lament with you.
I should have asked, too...will you go see it?
I think that if it's not too soon for the families of the those on board that flight that day then it's not too soon for us. Whether or not we watch it is our own personal decision. I will not watch it. I can not stand to watch films that depict violence and terror real or imagined. I personally don't need a filmmaker's take on the situation to help me remember and I certainly don't need any "imagined memories" in my head about an event for which we have no eyewitness account.
How soon is too soon? How late is too late? I wonder how war veterans feel when they see Hollywood portrayals of the wars they fought? Should profits from war movies (and there are plenty) go to help the families of soldiers and war victims? I'm not sure I have answers to any of these questions, but I am grateful to live in a country where we are free to question.
As far as "placing emphasis on events that may or may not have even occurred" is concerned; no one can ever know what exactly happened on Flight 93, we only have recorded voices to give us a glimpse into the final moments. Much like we only have written accounts and photos from the Civil War. But should that stop someone from trying to tell a story? Is making a film about the Civil War "fluff and lies to make ourselves feel better about patriotism?" Even documentary films require some amount of speculation from the producer and the viewer. Speculation is what helps us mend our thoughts and emotions so we can understand. If this film helps people heal, helps people understand, or helps people remember, then so be it. If you disagree with the film, don't watch it. After you don't watch the film, then you can sit down and criticize it even more.
As for watching the film, I will watch it when i'm ready. Maybe that's next month, maybe it's never, I don't know.
I apologize if i've offended anyone with my post.
Digigirl,
"Is making a film about the Civil War 'fluff and lies to make ourselves feel better'"?
That all depends on when it is made and how it portrays the Civil war.
My point is that this movie has come too soon; also, it is being advertised like an action thriller.
Most Civil war films are based on first and second-hand accounts of the events that have analyzed for over 100 years by historians. Most historians who have analyzed these events construct well-reasoned arguements for how the events occured. This film is perhaps less acredited in that respect.
"Speculation is what helps us mend our thoughts and emotions so we can understand."
I absolutely agree (many leave emotion out of this equation).
My worry is that the speculating is being done for us by people who have other interests in mind, namely money and propoganda.
If my previous post seemed too critical I apoligize, especially to Byron.
No offense taken, Adam. I suppose this subject makes everyone a little punchy, myself included.
I remember reading about another society some years back that took death, and made it into entertainment. They did it real-time. My fear is that in this case the drama of life and death (which are both precious and sacred) are being re-packaged into entertainment. It's not real-time, but it's getting pretty close. My guess is that America will buy in big... not because we don't value life, but because we are beginning to value entertainment more. This movie is not a memorial, it is entertainment.
-Russ
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