September 5 (2024) Directed by Tim Fehlbaum
7A
September 5 is a procedural that deals with the ABC's sports broadcast crew who were tasked with reporting from the 1972 Olympics in Munich when a group of Palestinian terrorists kidnapped and killed 11 Israeli athletes as the world watched in horror. It was the first time a major act of terrorism had been witnessed on live television for all to see. The editing here is great despite the fact that the film seldom leaves the confined space of the ABC control room. The ensemble acting is among the best of the year. As journalistic procedurals go it is right up there with the best of them, and it raises questions of ethics and morality that were important at the time, and probably more important now when these crucial considerations seem ignored by too many news sources. I had to ask myself, though, why are we seeing this piece of history now? It seems like an odd subject to green light--an act of terrorism that occurred at a sporting event over a half century ago. Perhaps the producers thought a lesson in journalistic ethics was needed at this moment. Or maybe the movie intends to underscore that violent antisemitism is an ever present danger. A more cynical interpretation is that the movie is a not so subtle reminder of whose side we should be on right now, who the good guys really are. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over that, though. Whatever the purpose or combination of purposes,
September 5 is a hell of a ride that will keep your eyes glued to the screen from start to finish.
