A few weeks ago we ran a story (which you can read here: about the controversial Flight 93, Paul Greengrass’s film based on the events of September 11. Empire expressed the view that making a film, essentially a money-making operation, out of those events “engenders some discomfort” and that in spite of the team’s claims of sensitivity, it might have been more sensitive not to film it at all. Well, Lloyd Levin, one of Flight 93’s producers emailed a direct reply and provided some more details about the film.
"[Empire raises] some interesting issues (and the raising and discussion of issues is what I ultimately think this project is all about). Just to flesh out a little Variety's "out of respect for the families" line: We always saw that a big part of this movie was telling the story about the 40 passengers and crew -- all 40. It's something we're going to reinforce all the way through the making and release of the movie, and it started with taking an ensemble approach to the cast.
"When it came time to issue a press release about the start of production, it seemed unwieldy to print all 40 names of the actors portraying the passengers and crew, just as it was unlikely any publication would print the names of all 40. So in the spirit of the ensemble approach, we decided if not all, then none.
"There were other considerations to filming in the UK beyond "sensitivities." First, cost. It happened to be less expensive to shoot the movie in the UK than either LA or NY, and as you can imagine, we have anything but a luxurious budget on this one. But another factor was Paul's interest in submersing our mostly American cast in a pre-9/11 atmosphere, which he (and I think rightly) felt could best be done by taking our cast and putting them in a filmic hot house environment where they could essentially stay in the world of the movie, on set and off, and not have to return to and be distracted by their daily lives. If that is an effective approach or not, you will soon be able to judge.
"As to whether the movie is coming "too soon," I think that's a matter for debate. I think many might say not soon enough. After all, Hollywood produced WWII movies during the war (albeit, mostly propaganda).
"My personal opinion is that 9/11 was probably the most important event that took place in our lives, and it completely reshaped the world in which we live. And as individuals and as a society we need to come to grips with that...The FLIGHT 93 movie will hopefully make a contribution to that process.
Best, Lloyd
And if that doesn't sate your appetite for Flight 93, Paul Greengrass also explained his reasons for shooting the film on its website www.theflight93project.com:
"The events surrounding Flight 93 have been pored over endlessly during the last four years – in newspapers, magazines, books, online and in television documentaries. Most important of all, the story of Flight 93 has been analysed exhaustively by various congressional and governmental bodies, culminating in publication of the 9/11 Commission Report (published July 1st 2004). These investigations came into existence precisely to meet the public’s demand to understand as completely as possible what happened on 9/11.
"9/11 was a tragedy for all the families caught up in it directly but it was also a public event with immense implications for all of us. The meanings attached to it now and going forward from here, matter to each and everyone of us profoundly.
"Of course there’s lots of ways to find meaning in the events of 9/11. Television can convey events as they happen. A reporter can write history’s rough first draft. Historians can widen the time frame and give us context. Politicians can seek to ride the waves of emotion. The best of them can lead us too. Religious leaders divine spiritual meanings and give us comfort. There are many ways….
"Well I make films and I believe they have a small part to play too. And I also believe that sometimes, if you look clearly and unflinchingly at a single event, you can find in its shape something precious, something much larger than the event itself…the DNA of our times.
"I have worked in Northern Ireland and elsewhere on and off for more than 25 years exploring the impact of terrorism on individuals and societies. In 2002 I directed Bloody Sunday, a recreation of a civil rights march in Northern Ireland in 1972 which conveyed the moral vacuum caused by terrorism. More recently I wrote the film Omagh, a story about one family’s struggle for justice after their son was killed in the Omagh bombing of 1998.
"So with all respect to those who would rather that the events of 9/11 remained sacrosanct, I assert my right to explore it and speak of it in the medium of my choice – film, pointing to my previous work and recognising that any film can only ever be its own justification. If the film I make has power and truthfulness it will justify itself to its audiences."
"If not, I will have failed.
"Paul"