Fictionalization of 9/11 - here is the problem

[LynneSin]

About 5-6 years ago there was a big blockbuster movie release of "Pearl Harbor", a fictionalized account of the events of December 7th, 1941. Some of the facts were real, like yes, the Japanese did bomb Pearl Harbor and some were fictionalized like a Nurse falling in love with her boyfriend's best friend because she thought her boyfriend was killed.

And of course you remember the classic fictionalization of the movie "Titanic", that was April 12, 1912. We all knew about the sinking of the supposedly unsinkable "Titanic" but I highly doubt there was some amazing expensive Jewel and young couple from different classes of life falling in love.

Since the days of these two tragic events and yet before either of these movies were created, there have probably been dozens of other movies that try to account for what happened on these two very notorious days in history. But the one thing common for most of these movies and especially "Pearl Harbor" & "Titanic", the fictionalization wasn't based on what the screenplay writer perceived was the root cause of how these things happened but the concept of tossing in a possible love storyline to help sell a few more tickets (worked for Titanic, failed for Pearl Harbor).

But there is also on other very important point about these two movies - both of them were made generations after the actual incident. I would suppose that those people who remember the Titanic sinking or when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor probably might not want to relive those memories. But these were incidents that happened between 60-100 years ago so, unfortunately, those numbers are dwindling.

I haven't seen this ABC documentary nor have I seen "Flight 93" or "World Trade Center". All of these are just too recent for me to want to sit through them again. It is one thing if you want to put a documentary about the incident on TV with those having been through it first hand reminisce about what happened that day. I've even read that CBS is airing such a story (and no I'm not talking Fahrenheit 9/11 type documentary either). But this is a fictionalization of an event that has recently happen. And the fictionalization isn't a made up couple falling hopelessly in love or a determined soldier overcoming all odds to fight back against the enemy. The fictionalization is based on real people put in imaginary situations that clearly go against what is in the 9/11 Commission. This isn't a docudrama, this is a right-winger's wet dream.

So no, I won't watch the 'docudrama' on ABC but perhaps I'll check out the documentary that CBS put together (hey, I even managed through 1 viewing of Spike Lee's Katrina story).

ABC and Disney clearly know that this movie is a right-wing propaganda piece and yet they are clearly going ahead at all charge. They should be ashamed of themselves

[helderheid]

1. Very well said.

[Cronus Protagonist]

2. Nice rant!

I won't see the movies about 9/11 either, for the same reasons. And it makes me wonder who is the audience for these? Surely most people don't want to relive 9/11. Why don't these movies totally tank at the box office?

[LynneSin]

4. I'd love to see the demographics on Flight 93 and World Trade Center

I'd be interested to see if perhaps the ticket sales were stronger further away you got from NYC/DC/PA. I know people in NYC who just don't want to live through this again just like there are those from New Orleans who really don't want to relive Katrina through Spike Lee's documentary.

[SmokingJacket]

3. Seems obvious, but it has to be spelled out.

Well done, rec'd!

[mmonk]

5. Correct and I have no intention of watching the 9/11

exploitation movies either.

[bryant69]

6. It is a problem

I don't want to pretend like this isn't propoganda, cause it very clearly seems to be. But even an honest and good hearted person would probably fail at making a movie of 9/11 these days and for some time to come - it's too big and too close. I don't think we can get our heads around it.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[H2O Man]

7. Interesting points.

I would add that there is a significant difference between a fictional account that attempts to tell the truth, and one that attempts to lie. The example that comes to mind, of course, is if "Pearl Harbor" attempted to blame Bill Clinton. I do not doubt that ABC/Disney would attempt to pimp it with straight faces. But it would not be wrong simply because it was fictionalized. It's the lie.

[NGC_6822]

8. Movie review

I did see "United 93" and I thought it was an excellent movie. I will acknowledge, however, that it may not be for everyone. I probably would not recommend anyone see it that was close to the tragedy. I suggest you read the review by Ebert, however, and perhaps you will understand more about the quality of the film and how the director was trying to present the story. Ebert explains it well.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060427/REVIEWS/60419006/1023