As a seasoned gamer of both the big and small screens, I must say that I have developed a profound appreciation for films that delve into the intricacies of journalism and its role in shaping our collective consciousness. The recent offerings like Spotlight, The Post, and now September 5, have undeniably found their way to the pinnacle of my year-end lists.
I’m really into movies about journalism. I feel like we don’t get enough of them. Maybe the perception of journalism as merely entertainment isn’t popular right now, but for me, it’s thrilling, intense, and fulfilling when reporters uncover the core truths of a complex story – especially when they unveil something they didn’t want to find. In years past, films like Spotlight and The Post, two outstanding examples of journalism movies, made it to my top picks for the year. This year, there are a couple that could potentially take that spot, with Civil War and the compelling, significant September 5.
As a gamer, I’ve just caught wind of an upcoming film that’s currently under the radar but is bound to make waves as word spreads. Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, “September 5” unfolds during the Olympic Games of 1972 in Munich, a time when Germany was still finding its place in post-World War II society. In the midst of the games, a group of Palestinian terrorists known as Black September took over the athlete compound and held several Olympians hostage. While Steven Spielberg explored this story on a grand scale in his intense drama “Munich“, Fehlbaum and his cast offer a more intimate perspective, making this film unique and compelling. I had the opportunity to watch it at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, and it left quite an impression.
In the movie “September 5,” the primary figures are a group of ABC journalists, who are about to commence their shift in the control room situated in Germany. Their initial purpose is to cover the sporting events taking place during the Olympic Games. However, when a hostage crisis arises, these reporters find themselves grappling with setting guidelines for news coverage on live television (back in 1972). They engage in discussions regarding what can be shown, what’s feasible to capture considering the technological constraints at that time, and how swiftly the news should be disseminated to a global audience.
2024 finds us still grappling with significant discussions on a global scale. However, during that pivotal moment in history, the ABC team, under Roone Arledge’s (Peter Sarsgaard) leadership, found themselves breaking new ground in uncharted territories. The film, running for 91 minutes, seems to unfold in real-time. This brevity leaves us feeling as if we’re given the same limited time to absorb the flood of new information pouring into the newsroom as the journalists who are receiving each critical update. The team faces numerous hurdles in delivering accurate reports, including tight deadlines, shared global satellites, and a language barrier between American journalists, German authorities trying to manage the situation, and athletes hailing from every corner of the globe.
From the very core of a captivated spectator, I can’t help but marvel at the profound impact of the choices made on September 5th. These seemingly minor decisions continue to shape the way we consume and interpret news, an influence that remains palpable even today.
A few months ago, I emerged from Alex Garland’s movie “Civil War” left in awe by the grand scale of the scenes he created for his futuristic tale. Garland skillfully blended elements from “Call of Duty” and current news headlines to foretell a grim future for our country. He portrayed the events as if he were following the reporters who would be present at the ground level, reporting on the outcome. I found it incredibly insightful and well-executed.
But while I’m not trying to compare the two movies, I think I’d give September 5 the slight edge because it covers news that actually happened, seamlessly using archival footage of ABC News’ Jim McKay to thread its drama as the horror unfolds. It’s history in the making, and it’s one of the best movies you will see on screen this year.
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2024-10-29 18:07