2008 Woodie Awards
History repeats itself
September 11th films set to hit the big screen
Tim Keenan
Issue date: 11/25/05 Section: Tempo
- Page 1 of 1
We all remember what we were doing on Sept. 11. We remember where we were, who we were with, and the reactions we had. The planes crashing into the Twin Towers made us all stop what we were doing and feel like we had the wind knocked out of us. The images are still present in our memories and are ones that may never go away, no matter how hard we try.
Sept. 11, 2001, is a day that no one will ever forget. We don't talk about this tragedy everyday, but it is one that will always live in the back of our minds.
The tragedies of this day are being transcribed onto the big screen. That's right, movie companies are now buying up rights to make a movie based on the 9/11 attacks.
Now, most people don't ever want to see those horrible images again, but in some ways, bringing 9/11 to the big screen could offer a new outlook on the event itself. When most people think of this new movie project, they probably think of it as another way for the movie industry to make money.
History has shown that the movie industry is not afraid to take chances on emotional subjects. Some of the highest-grossing movies of all time are based on real life events. The number one selling movie of all-time, "Titanic," grossed over $600 million. Other notable movies such as "Pearl Harbor" have grossed just under $200 million.
It's no surprise to see movie companies putting out more movies that are based on historical events because people will flock to the theater to see them.
Is Hollywood ready to accept the almost certain controversy that will come with the making of a Sept. 11 movie? Many actors and producers are taking extra steps to prevent these uproars from happening. Director Oliver Stone and producers from his upcoming untitled movie have been talking with many community and family members of those who lost a loved one in the attack and are promising these people to treat the movie with a very sensitive attitude.
Stone's newest film stars Nicholas Cage as a policeman who was inside one of the towers when it was coming down. The plot centers around two policemen who were trapped in the ruins and rescued about 22 hours later. This film will not be filmed completely in New York. A majority of the intense scenes will be shot on a Los Angeles sound stage to respect the World Trade Center site. Stone's new movie is scheduled for release in August of 2006. The movie, however, will not be the first of the new 9/11 movies to be released. A movie called "Flight 93," which is being produced by Universal Studios, is scheduled to hit theatres in April of 2006. This movie will center on the airplane that was hijacked and crashed into the Pennsylvania field.
As 2006 approaches, it should be interesting to see how people react to movies based on one of the most sensitive days in our country's history. What Hollywood is doing is not wrong as long as these movies stay true to real life.
The events and people involved in and with Sept. 11 are all real and something Hollywood producers should take very seriously.
Production companies know there can be a lot of money made by releasing these movies, but they have to make sure that they don't cross the line and exploit those who were really impacted by this day the most.
Movies deliver us heroes that we consider to be real and will always come to save us when we are in trouble. But the real heroes are those who gave their lives to save lives back on that September day.
Sept. 11, 2001, is a day that no one will ever forget. We don't talk about this tragedy everyday, but it is one that will always live in the back of our minds.
The tragedies of this day are being transcribed onto the big screen. That's right, movie companies are now buying up rights to make a movie based on the 9/11 attacks.
Now, most people don't ever want to see those horrible images again, but in some ways, bringing 9/11 to the big screen could offer a new outlook on the event itself. When most people think of this new movie project, they probably think of it as another way for the movie industry to make money.
History has shown that the movie industry is not afraid to take chances on emotional subjects. Some of the highest-grossing movies of all time are based on real life events. The number one selling movie of all-time, "Titanic," grossed over $600 million. Other notable movies such as "Pearl Harbor" have grossed just under $200 million.
It's no surprise to see movie companies putting out more movies that are based on historical events because people will flock to the theater to see them.
Is Hollywood ready to accept the almost certain controversy that will come with the making of a Sept. 11 movie? Many actors and producers are taking extra steps to prevent these uproars from happening. Director Oliver Stone and producers from his upcoming untitled movie have been talking with many community and family members of those who lost a loved one in the attack and are promising these people to treat the movie with a very sensitive attitude.
Stone's newest film stars Nicholas Cage as a policeman who was inside one of the towers when it was coming down. The plot centers around two policemen who were trapped in the ruins and rescued about 22 hours later. This film will not be filmed completely in New York. A majority of the intense scenes will be shot on a Los Angeles sound stage to respect the World Trade Center site. Stone's new movie is scheduled for release in August of 2006. The movie, however, will not be the first of the new 9/11 movies to be released. A movie called "Flight 93," which is being produced by Universal Studios, is scheduled to hit theatres in April of 2006. This movie will center on the airplane that was hijacked and crashed into the Pennsylvania field.
As 2006 approaches, it should be interesting to see how people react to movies based on one of the most sensitive days in our country's history. What Hollywood is doing is not wrong as long as these movies stay true to real life.
The events and people involved in and with Sept. 11 are all real and something Hollywood producers should take very seriously.
Production companies know there can be a lot of money made by releasing these movies, but they have to make sure that they don't cross the line and exploit those who were really impacted by this day the most.
Movies deliver us heroes that we consider to be real and will always come to save us when we are in trouble. But the real heroes are those who gave their lives to save lives back on that September day.
