Would you see this movie?

[Guest bob_barron]

Movies - Variety

 

French Sept. 11 Picture Has Anti-U.S. Elements

Wed Aug 21, 3:27 AM ET

By Francois Godard

 

PARIS (Variety) - To commemorate the Sept. 11 attacks in New York and Washington, a French studio is unveiling an unusual omnibus movie called "11'09"01 September 11," which consists of 11 separate submissions from key directors in as many countries.

 

 

 

The problem: Several of the segments are stridently anti-American.

 

Consider the dialogue from the Egyptian submission directed by Youssef Chahine.

 

"The U.S. and Israel are democracies, their governments are elected by their people -- thus it is legitimate to attack their people," says the character, an unnamed filmmaker.

 

The segment goes on to talk about "the civilizations destroyed by the U.S.," and "the millions of victims" of American policy from Vietnam to Somalia.

 

The short also depicts with sympathy a Palestinian suicide bomber and his family.

 

Several of the other segments are fiercely critical of the United States -- a fact that could prove embarrassing, once the picture opens in French moviehouses Sept. 11 and in various international film festivals beginning with Toronto and Venice over the next few weeks. "11'09"01" has yet to find a U.S. distributor.

 

Embattled media giant Vivendi Universal's Studio Canal production unit commissioned 11 prominent film directors to each do an 11-minute short inspired by last year's attacks, and gave them "total freedom of expression." Studio Canal said Tuesday no executive was available to comment.

 

French press reports said the project was initated by producer Alain Brigand, who convinced recently ousted Vivendi chairman-CEO Jean-Marie Messier to back the movie.

 

The movie's first segment, from Iranian filmmaker Samira Makhmalbaf, begins with Iranian schoolchildren explaining, "The United States want to bomb us, so we must built shelters."

 

Amid references to a possible U.S. atomic bombing of Iran, the teacher encourages the pupils to commemorate the 9/11 victims with a minute of silence, but the kids keep talking about their own local tragedies.

 

Even the British segment of the omnibus film takes the United States to task.

 

Directed by left-wing filmmaker Ken Loach, the segment focuses on another Sept. 11 tragedy, the 1973 coup d'etat against Chile's Marxist president Salvador Allende and the support provided to the subsequent military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet ( news - web sites) by U.S. president Richard Nixon.

 

Meanwhile, India's Mira Nair focuses on the true story of a Pakistani-American who died helping New York firefighters at the World Trade Center.

 

His unexplained disappearance on the date of the attack led to police and media suspicions of his possible association with terrorists -- something that wouldn't have happened if he had been named Jesus or David, his mother says in the segment.

 

Other contributions have little or no political spin -- or in a few cases, any apparent link with 9/11 aside from their moral tone.

 

These include contributions from France's Claude Lelouch, American Sean Penn, Burkina Faso's Idrissa Ouedraogo, Israel's Amos Gitai, Japan's Shohei Imamura, Mexico's Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Bosnia's Danis Tanovic.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

Sure, it sounds interesting. There's nothing inherently wrong with mixing a lot of different viewpoints, since it's nieve to think they don't exist or something. The story's a bit negative though, I'd want to hear about the other submissions (which seem to outnumber the negative ones) to get a better scope of the movie.

[Guest Cancer Marney]

Consider the dialogue from the Egyptian submission directed by Youssef Chahine.

"The U.S. and Israel are democracies, their governments are elected by their people -- thus it is legitimate to attack their people," says the character, an unnamed filmmaker.

 

An open response to Youssef Chahine:

 

Fair enough.

 

But remember, that argument works both ways. Your people tolerate their rulers. They're complicit in their guilt. And, more often than not, your people are also directly guilty of harbouring, assisting, inciting, encouraging, or being terrorists.

You can target and kill our defenceless citizens. That's your natural right as the barbaric mass murderers that you are. We won't target yours; we're better than you. But we will target you, and everyone else who commits or supports mass murder.

 

You said that the United States and Israel are democracies, and you were absolutely correct. But there's one small detail you overlooked. If our citizens are the government, then while attacking them might be "legitimate" in some twisted sense, it's also just about the stupidest thing you could possibly have done. As your friends in Afghanistan recently learned. As you shall also learn.

 

If you make an enemy of the United States, you won't just have to defeat our military - not that anyone could do even that. You'll have to defeat 287 million Americans as well.

 

"We the people" isn't just a pretty phrase. It means what it says. We aren't oppressed by our government. We aren't dictated to by our government. We aren't ruled by our government. We are the government.

 

We're stirring now. And when we wake, you'd better have said all your prayers. For our righteous wrath, once fully roused, is both terrible and inescapable. Our anger brooks no opposition. It shall not be denied. We will pay any cost, endure any suffering, and reach as far as we must in the pursuit of liberty and justice.

Ask Germany. Ask Japan. The Lady you so viciously attacked is a deadly adversary. She didn't start this fight, but she will end it.

You don't know Americans. You don't know what we can do. You don't know the extent of our power. The last time someone woke us, we changed the face of the world. We shall do so again.

 

Vox populi, vox Dei: We the people are the clenched right fist of God Almighty. And when we speak, seven thunders utter their voices.

 

Soon, very soon now, you'll understand what that means.

[Guest Samurai_Goat]

I'm doing all sorts of humble bowing to Marney right now. May I never be on the recieving end of your arguements.

[Guest KoR Fungus]

This sounds pretty interesting to me. I'd much rather see a bunch of viewpoints from around the world than see yet more patriotic stupidity. Yeah, some of these viewpoints are bound to make us pretty angry, but it's still much better than "Tribute to America" drivel.

[Guest Retro Rob]

I wouldn't see it. I'm not a fan of foreign films.

 

[Guest Cancer Marney]

This sounds pretty interesting to me. I'd much rather see a bunch of viewpoints from around the world than see yet more patriotic stupidity. Yeah, some of these viewpoints are bound to make us pretty angry, but it's still much better than "Tribute to America" drivel.

Oh, I don't know. I'd rather remember the dead than listen to obscene justifications for their murder from yet another liberal arts film fucko. I'm not too eager to hear more smarmy, hypocritical indictments of my country coming from France, either. I hear enough of those every day of the week. But hey, that's just me. Maybe you enjoy that sort of thing.

 

I won't bother to address your sneering reference to "patriotic stupidity" in any great detail. Horace Mann said, "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity." Suffice it to say that people with your attitude invariably die not only in obscurity but in shame.

[Guest EricMM]

now now, he said patriotic stupidity. Maybe he meant only things that were stupid? Not good patriotic things

 

Maybe I should pick my battles better.

 

This movie, it seems... uncecessary.

[Guest Cancer Marney]

I didn't like his tone. He's welcome to clarify.

[Guest EricMM]

yeah like I did to FKT

 

I don't think anyone enjoys or condones hatred or intent to kill Americans (well I mean Americans don't condone that) but there ARE a lot of people who want to find out why we put the thorn in people's side to begin with so it doesn't happen again...

 

Personally I feel that some of those comments would make me not want to watch the movie. Just because some people can be jingoistic doesn't mean they're particularly wrong.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

To answer the thread's question. No, I got better things to do than to watch a bunch of hippie crap...

[Guest KingOfOldSchool]

I'd watch that movie. Certain negative parts, possibly justifying the attacks and putting the spin on American policy would upset and anger me, but I'd be willing to roll with that, in an attempt to gather other viewpoints.

 

Sure, some of them have a negative tone, but that was to be expected.

 

I do agree with KoR Fungus in a way, in saying that if given a choice, I would rather take this film in rather than indulge myself in overly produced and seemingly fake tv documentaries and tributes, spouting off patriotism rhetoric. That isn't to say I don't love my country, because I do think that the victims should honored and everything that happened should be recognized in some way. But there's a certain point where I tire of bandwagon patriotism and polished-up sentiment. Since the movie will likely never be released in the US, I'm fine with a moment of silence and a prayer to those affected.

[Guest big Dante Cruz]

Let's bear in mind that it's the damn French...

[Guest TJH]

Maybe. I enjoy disagreeing with people, that's why I read left wing opinion pieces. Marney is right on the money.

[Guest J*ingus]

I'd rather see the movie before making any judgements. The news media is notorious for exaggerating and playing up the negative parts of "controversial" films, taking things out of context, so forth and so on.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I'd definitely watch this, if nothing else but to see a different opinion than the whole "In these trying times...USA A-OK" Personally, blind patriotism has always annoyed me.

[Guest razazteca]

I will not pay to see anything that has to do with the Sept 11 attack. I shall not endorse any forced patriotism as the media has made the day of Sept 11 into a meaningless sweeps topic just like OJ, stupid white kids shooting in school and now missing kids.

 

And no I will not watch the movie or any propaganda films.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

This will no doubt be praised by all the liberal media. Just like Bruce Springsteen's blatant attempt to capitalize on 9-11.

But Bobby Bowden having his players wearing Let's Roll t-shirts underneath their game jersey's with the blessing of Todd Beamer's widow is terrible.

 

It should also be mentioned that Florida St. is making no money, and Springsteen is.

[Guest KoR Fungus]

<<<Oh, I don't know. I'd rather remember the dead than listen to obscene justifications for their murder from yet another liberal arts film fucko.>>>

 

Yes, but there's better ways to remember the dead than to watch a 300th tribute to America special. This has nothing to do with political ideology, it's just a question of what's more entertaining. Yet another memorial, likely with yet more stupid musical tributes and whatnot, or something that's actually different. I will likely disagree with all of the America is evil viewpoints, but that's still more interesting than more syrupy crap.

 

<<<I'm not too eager to hear more smarmy, hypocritical indictments of my country coming from France, either. I hear enough of those every day of the week. But hey, that's just me. Maybe you enjoy that sort of thing.>>>

 

I'd rather hear something different that I disagree with than more of exact same stuff we've been hearing for the last year. Regardless of how much you love America, I can't imagine you actually enjoy watching hours upon hours of nearly identical tribute shows. This is different. Different is good.

 

<<<I won't bother to address your sneering reference to "patriotic stupidity" in any great detail.>>>

 

It was a reference to patriotic stupidity in the form of substanceless tribute shows that we're likely to see on TV. Nothing wrong with patriotism, but that is mindless, boring, repetative patriotism, and I'm not interested in seeing any more of it.

 

<<<Horace Mann said, "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity." Suffice it to say that people with your attitude invariably die not only in obscurity but in shame.>>>

 

Eh whatever. I'm not a patriot, I'm not against patriots. I'm just against boring stuff on my TV, which is all this was about. If not wanting to watch a 4 hour ABC special about America's heroes when I've seen the same thing a dozen times before means that I'm destined to die in obscurity and shame, so be it. I don't see the connection though, heh.

[Guest The Metal Maniac]

Sorry if I'm a little late here...

 

Your people tolerate their rulers.

 

I don't think that's fair. I mean, just because you don't have the ability to stop something, you're automatically tolerating it?

 

I mean, if I'm getting the shit kicked outta me by 4 people, there's not a hell of a lot I can do to stop it. But that doesn't mean that I'm automatically tolerating it. I still hate it; But I can't stop it.

 

Remember, in countries where there are dictators in charge, being against said dictators can be very difficult. Especially when you could be shot just because someone THINKS you're against the government.

 

Anyway, I agree that the movie would be interesting to see. If it's done respectably, I don't think there should be any real problem with it.

[Guest EricMM]

As for my imput, I wouldn't watch it. I disagree with people profiting off 9/11 in the commerical sense. I wouldn't buy a book relating to 9/11, and I bitch about them when I see them in the book store.

 

This movie is trying to be sensationalistic to get people to watch it where ever it was shown. At least that's my opinion. Really I'm just sick of the footage and the pictures and the rhetoric. It's almost been an entire year. I'm not saying forget about it, I'm saying move on. It just feels like people are trying to profit off it, and that is not right.

[Guest godthedog]

As for my imput, I wouldn't watch it. I disagree with people profiting off 9/11 in the commerical sense. I wouldn't buy a book relating to 9/11, and I bitch about them when I see them in the book store.

 

This movie is trying to be sensationalistic to get people to watch it where ever it was shown. At least that's my opinion. Really I'm just sick of the footage and the pictures and the rhetoric. It's almost been an entire year. I'm not saying forget about it, I'm saying move on. It just feels like people are trying to profit off it, and that is not right.

i don't think they're trying to financially capitalize on the tragedy. from the synopses, it seems like they actually have something to say about it.

 

i'd definitely be interested in watching this movie. whether i'd agree or disagree with what the shorts are saying isn't important; the point is they are using the medium to actually SAY SOMETHING and spark debate.

[Guest Kid Kablam]

Also let's remember that you have read one or two quotes from the movie. Frequently what a character says is in direct contrast with the filmmakers intentions. Take a look at a film like "Taxi Driver." Also a filmmaker's task isn't to justify, it's to generate empathy. A good film can take the most bizarre situations and make them strangely plausible.

[Guest Kid Kablam]

As for my imput, I wouldn't watch it. I disagree with people profiting off 9/11 in the commerical sense. I wouldn't buy a book relating to 9/11, and I bitch about them when I see them in the book store.

 

This movie is trying to be sensationalistic to get people to watch it where ever it was shown. At least that's my opinion. Really I'm just sick of the footage and the pictures and the rhetoric. It's almost been an entire year. I'm not saying forget about it, I'm saying move on. It just feels like people are trying to profit off it, and that is not right.

I agree that there are a lot of people trying to profit off of the tragedy with cheap smut, but this issue needs to be discussed. We need to look at the viewpoints of others if we are to learn from this tragedy. It's only a true tragedy if we refuse to examine what innocent souls died for.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

We're stirring now. And when we wake, you'd better have said all your prayers. For our righteous wrath, once fully roused, is both terrible and inescapable. Our anger brooks no opposition. It shall not be denied. We will pay any cost, endure any suffering, and reach as far as we must in the pursuit of liberty and justice.

Ask Germany. Ask Japan. The Lady you so viciously attacked is a deadly adversary. She didn't start this fight, but she will end it.

You don't know Americans. You don't know what we can do. You don't know the extent of our power. The last time someone woke us, we changed the face of the world. We shall do so again.

 

Vox populi, vox Dei: We the people are the clenched right fist of God Almighty. And when we speak, seven thunders utter their voices.

 

Soon, very soon now, you'll understand what that means.

 

You had me until you said that.

[Guest DrTom]

You had me until you said that.

What's wrong with any of it?

[Guest Anorak]

You had me until you said that.

What's wrong with any of it?

If you have to ask.......

 

How was that little outburst not utterly ridiculous, absurd, or even offensive?

 

I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry reading that post.

 

The fact that Pinnacle was the first person to highlight it says volumes about just how blinkered people's views are in this folder.

 

Please don't flame me!

[Guest DrTom]

How was that little outburst not utterly ridiculous, absurd, or even offensive?

Why don't you tell us how it WAS ridiculous. There are no lies in it. Everything that the letter says happened, happened. It's obviously pro-American, and it's obviously designed to be. It's neither ridiculous nor absurd. I don't really see who it would offend except people who don't particularly like America. I didn't have a problem with it at all, and anyone who was offended should look into ignoring patrotic displays they don't agree with and growing a thicker skin.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

It just sounded like she was cutting a promo.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

It just sounded like she was cutting a promo.

Test vs. Marney, next week on RAW.