As the five-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America draws near, Hollywood is beginning to release films depicting the events of the infamous day. Although Americans certainly should not forget the tragedy, revisiting it in a feature-length motion picture only a few years later is in poor taste. At this point, most Americans need no reminders.
The first Sept. 11-related movie, Universal's United 93
hits theaters on April 28. However, a docu-drama based on the same topic has already aired on A&E. A real-time account of the passenger revolt that downed the Washington-bound airliner in a Pennsylvania field, the film's trailer has aired before the recently released Inside Man. Audiences have shown mixed reactions to the preview, with some surprised and outraged at being confronted with the realities of the national tragedy on the big screen.
In New York City, reactions have been especially emotional. The AMC Loews theater in Manhattan's Upper West Side has even opted to pull the trailer from its screens because of such reactions. The attacks of Sept. 11 are still an open wound for many, especially in New York City. Moviegoers affected in such a manner cannot be blamed for their reactions and deserve to have their feelings respected.
Despite pressure to cancel its United 93 trailers altogether, Universal has staunchly rejected the notion. Its defense is that the film is an accurate and respectful portrayal of what took place and that Americans could use a reminder of the horrific attacks, even as security issues still plague the country. There is some truth to the argument. The makers of the film even went so far as to gain the permission of every family of the downed flight's victims, and of course the First Amendment protects the venture.
Nevertheless, this issue goes beyond rights and raises questions as to what is proper. Commercializing the events of Sept. 11 only five years later is in poor taste, unless of course the proceeds from the movie go to benefit those directly affected by this tragedy. There certainly will come a time when such stories will need to be told, but that time is not now. The pain felt by Americans five years ago still lingers too strongly and Hollywood should have taken heed. 17
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