As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the silver screen, I must say that Tim Fehlbaum’s “September 5” is a testament to the power of cinematic storytelling. The meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to authenticity are truly commendable. It’s not every day you see a director treat a film like a documentary, and that’s exactly what Fehlbaum did with “September 5”.
Tim Fehlbaum’s September 5th premiere at the Venice Film Festival, which focuses on the terrorist attack during the 1972 Munich Olympics, isn’t a true documentary. Instead, the filmmaker, known for his work in science fiction films such as The Colony and Hell, chose to approach it in a way that resembles a documentary.
Fehlbaum and his crew spent numerous months meticulously researching and piecing together every detail of what occurred minute-by-minute during that significant event, while simultaneously collaborating with a design team for sets and production to create an accurate representation of a sports broadcasting studio similar to the one ABC Sports used in Munich on that tragic day. This was shared by the filmmaker during a press conference held in Venice on Thursday afternoon, in September.
When we considered narrating the tale [regarding September 5th], it sparked off a dialogue about research, Fehlbaum explained. Interactions with an eyewitness named Geoffrey Mason (portrayed in the movie by John Magaro) significantly shaped the narrative and served as the blueprint for how the project progressed. He also aimed to tackle the delicate topic with utmost respect.
Initially, German screenwriter Moritz Binder collaborated with Fehlbaum and co-writer Alex Davis on the script. This movie, lasting approximately 94 minutes, is based in Munich, specifically within ABC Sports’ production facility as they covered the 1972 Summer Olympics. However, instead of their usual sports coverage, they were compelled to switch gears to report breaking news when a group of Israeli athletes were seized by eight members of the militant organization Black September. These terrorists infiltrated the Olympic Village, where they captured and swiftly killed two individuals. Tragically, nine others were taken hostage and met their end during an unsuccessful rescue attempt at the airport.
Instead of recounting the story from within the hostage crisis itself, September 5 delves into the account of the broadcast team’s experience and strategic decision-making as they grappled with a tense and tragic unfolding event that was witnessed by an estimated billion viewers initially. This incident had significant impacts on live broadcasting and sparked debates about the merit of real-time broadcasting of terrorists, discussions that continued for decades afterwards. The entire broadcast lasted an extended 22 hours.
The movie incorporates actual footage of the event and ABC Sports’ original broadcast, which includes appearances by renowned anchor Jim McKay. Additionally, the writers collaborated with eyewitness Mason to include his personal accounts in the script.
“During the press conference, Fehlbaum mentioned that we’re accustomed to tracking such events on our phones. He found it intriguing to look back at how these kinds of incidents were initially reported.” He further explained that although technology has evolved, the fundamental questions that this type of situation poses remain unchanged.
Besides other significant studies, excerpts from memoirs penned by McKay and Roone Arledge (portrayed by Sarsgaard) were also scrutinized, along with discussions held with Sean McManus, the head of CBS Sports who coincidentally was in Munich that day as a youngster. He happens to be the son of McKay.
“Fehlbaum explained that the initial video recordings were invaluable for their research, and they also acquired police records and videos to help construct a plausible sequence of events both in Munich and the control room on that day. As for the control room, Fehlbaum and his team, including production designer Julian Wagner, aimed to build an accurate replica complete with screens and technology from that era. ‘As real as possible’ was their goal, ensuring everything appeared functional,” he stated.
The movie has a diverse cast that includes Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, Zinedine Soualem, Georgina Rich, Corey Johnson, Marcus Rutherford, Daniel Adeosun, Benjamin Walker, Ferdinand Dörfler, and Benesch. Notably, Benesch is a rising talent who gained fame from “The Teachers’ Lounge.” The film’s production team is headed by Sean Penn, with Philipp Trauer, Thomas Wöbke, John Ira Palmer, John Wildermuth, and Fehlbaum also serving as producers.
When asked about his connection to the topic, Chaplin discussed his feelings towards the modern news environment. “Being a news consumer, I constantly fret over it. It’s likely what I fret most about: How can we survive as a species in an era of ‘post-truth’, where factual information can no longer be shared objectively? I approach news coverage with profound fear and concern.”
Apart from Leonie Benesch (known for “The Teachers’ Lounge” and “Babylon Berlin”), added her thoughts. She admitted, “I have a bit of an obsession with news. I enjoy keeping up with news feeds, which aided me in understanding what might have transpired that night.” The actress portraying a crucial translator character in the series, shared, “I’m not fond of reading news as soon as I wake up or just before bed.”
In an interview with the press prior to the festival, Fehlbaum expressed his fascination with the unique perspective of the film’s narrative, which delves into the influence of media. He notes that by examining the broadcaster’s viewpoint, we are forced to grapple with the moral, ethical, professional, and deeply psychological quandaries faced by journalists: Should information be disseminated before it is verified? Can live broadcasts include violent acts? What is the function of media and journalism, and where does the boundary lie between news and entertainment? These are the questions he poses in his statement.
Towards the end of today’s press conference, a reporter inquired about the longstanding Israel-Palestine conflict, a question with significant relevance given the historical context of recent terrorist activities. “It’s an extremely important question,” Fehlbaum responded, explaining that since their film is rooted in actual events, they chose not to modify the storyline or let it influence the onscreen portrayal. “Our movie solely presents the media’s viewpoint, and this is our chosen approach.”
September 5 will have a world premiere on the Lido on Thursday.
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2024-08-29 18:26