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The 2024 historical drama thriller September 5 showcases one of the most chilling events in Olympic history: the 1972 Munich Olympic hostage crisis. Directed, co-produced, and co-written by Tim Fehlbaum, the movie presents a unique take on the horrifying incident, focusing on how journalists covered the tragedy rather than solely exploring the perpetrators or victims.
Premiering at the 81st Venice International Film Festival to critical acclaim, September 5 has already garnered an impressive 86% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many praised its powerful storytelling and compelling performances.
Although September 5 is not based on a book, it draws inspiration from real-life events surrounding the tragic day when members of the Palestinian group Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village.
The movie’s screenplay is an original work crafted by Fehlbaum, known for his previous films like Tides and Hell. By weaving journalistic integrity into the narrative, the film offers a refreshing perspective on a well-documented tragedy.
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What is September 5 really about? Details explored
September 5 recounts the events of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where eight armed members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), known as Black September, stormed the Israeli delegation's lodgings in the Olympic Village.
The terrorists killed two Israeli team members and held nine others hostage, demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners. This tragic event not only claimed the lives of all nine hostages and one German police officer but also exposed the inadequacy of security measures at international sporting events.
What sets September 5 apart is its decision to narrate the crisis through the eyes of ABC Sports reporters covering the Olympics. Instead of focusing closely on the hostage situation, the film explores the ethical dilemmas, emotional toll, and logistical challenges faced by journalists reporting on a live tragedy.
Peter Sarsgaard stars as Roone Arledge, the president of ABC Sports, who is at the forefront of broadcasting the incident. John Magaro plays Geoffrey Mason, the head of the control room in Munich, while Ben Chaplin portrays Marvin Bader, the head of operations. Leonie Benesch takes on the role of Marianne Gebhardt, a translator who bridges the language gap as tensions escalate.
The film’s trailer emphasizes the reporters’ struggles, showing how they grappled with balancing journalistic responsibility and the weight of conveying such a harrowing event to the world. By focusing on the press, September 5 sheds light on how the incident changed the way emergencies were broadcast and documented globally.
The historical context of September 5 explored
The 1972 Munich Olympic hostage crisis was a meticulously planned act of terrorism. Members of Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village armed with guns and grenades, targeting the Israeli delegation. The attack was fueled by the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and aimed to demand the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
The attack held deeper symbolic significance, occurring during Germany’s first Olympics since the 1936 Berlin Games under Adolf Hitler, an event associated with Nazi propaganda.
With inadequate security measures in place, the terrorists easily breached the Olympic Village. German officials made various attempts to resolve the crisis, including offering ransom and even volunteering to exchange themselves for the hostages. Tragically, these efforts failed.
The crisis culminated in a botched rescue operation at Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base, where all hostages, five terrorists, and a German police officer were killed.
While September 5 doesn’t shy away from the grim realities of the incident, it primarily focuses on the journalists who reported on it, highlighting how their work shaped public perception of the tragedy.
Why focus on journalists in the movie?
One of the most intriguing aspects of September 5 is its storytelling approach, instead of centering on the hostages or terrorists, the film shifts its lens to the ABC Sports crew reporting on the crisis. Peter Sarsgaard’s Roone Arledge leads the team as they navigate the complexities of covering an unfolding disaster.
The cast also includes Leonie Benesch as Marianne Gebhardt, a translator who plays a crucial role in communication, and John Magaro as Geoffrey Mason, a control room head balancing ethical dilemmas and technical challenges.
By focusing on journalists, the movie highlights how the hostage crisis became a pivotal moment in the history of broadcast journalism. The reporters faced immense pressure to provide accurate information in real time while also handling the emotional weight of the tragedy.
Interested viewers can watch September 5 on Apple TV.
