The terrorist attacks of 9/11 of 2001, left an unforgettable wound on lives in the US and across the globe. Many of those who were alive and old enough to remember that terrible day recall it with vivid imagery. These people can tell you exactly where they were when two hijacked planes hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center. For some, revisiting those tragic events proves too painful; for others, delving into 9/11 stories provides a step in a continual healing process. In the decades since foreign terrorists attacked the U.S., many filmmakers have tried to highlight the heroes of that day, who sacrificed themselves to save others or incidents and impacts.
United 93
‘United 93’ offers insight into the valiant actions of passengers on United Airlines 93, whereas many 9/11 films only concentrate on the World Trade Center attack. After taking off from Newark, New Jersey, the plane was taken over forty-five minutes later. According to the Baltimore Sun, many passengers believed their hijackers intended to target the White House or the Capitol in Washington, D.C., after learning about the World Trade Center attacks. Despite accepting their own fates, a group of passengers decided to save the lives of innumerable others by forcing the plane to crash in a field close to Shanksville, Pennsylvania. None of them survived.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
As one of the first significant 9/11 films, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" addressed the psychological effects on kids who lost a parent in the attacks. Nine-year-old Oskar (Thomas Horn), who is neurodivergent, is unable to comprehend his father Thomas Schell's (Tom Hanks) passing. A year following the fall of the towers, the boy sets out on a last treasure hunt that his father, Schell, had always taken him on. The young Schell discovers a lot about himself and starts to recover during this time. In an appearance to promote the movie, Hanks discussed the value of catharsis in the cinematic experience on the Today Show. Hanks clarified, saying, "I think there are times when you realize that a significant issue is being addressed, either for the first time or in a completely different way. and it appears in "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" in this instance. "
My Name is Khan
In the world of Bollywood, this 2010 film, My Name is Khan, tells the story of Rizwan Khan, a Muslim man with Asperger’s syndrome, as he journeys across America in a post-9/11 world to proclaim his simple yet profound message: “My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist.” Using My Name is Khan as a lens, the director showcased the islamophobia in US in not so subtle way. By portraying Rizwan's character as complex and sympathetic, Bollywood subverts these stereotypes in My Name is Khan and provides a counternarrative to the Western media's portrayal of Muslims as possible threats.
25th Hour
Rolling Stone described 25th Hour, a 2002 crime drama directed by Spike Lee and starring Edward Norton, as "the only 9/11 movie that still matters" as the film makes use of New York City as a character and effectively captures the dark mood of the city left in the wake of the attacks. Sadly, 25th Hour is not about 9/11, but rather the story of Monty Brogan (played by Norton), who is about to start a seven-year prison sentence after the attack.
Man in Red Bandana
The 2017 9/11 documentary "Man in Red Bandana" chronicles the real-life events of Welles Remy Crowther, who exhibited genuine bravery during the evacuation of the World Trade Center. Before dying in the tower collapse, Crowther made the decision to guide others to safety. He was an equities trader, not a firefighter or first responder. The red bandana that Crowther wore around his face while saving countless lives is the inspiration behind the title of the documentary. Crowther died at the age of 24, and his story is incredibly poignant.
Other than these films and documentaries there are other magnificent films which couldn’t ignore the incident as it was "102 minutes that changed America". These films each in their own way, carry the emotional weight of 9/11 and offer a lens into the human stories behind the headlines.
