SEPTEMBER 5 is a throwback newsroom thriller heavier than it should be, thanks to the real-world tragedy surrounding the 1972 Olympics and how director Tim Fehlbaum wisely uses actual footage mixed into the film. It’s less about having an answer for the Palestine and Israel conflict and more interested in wisely focusing on news producers’ responsibility when reporting live tragedies on the air. And that’s what makes it all the more a fascinating watch.
I didn’t know that the ABC crew that covered the 1972 terrorist coverage were sports producers. It makes sense that they would focus “not on the politics, but on the emotions.” And those feelings are at an all-time intense high in SEPTEMBER 5. It’s actually the best thing it has going for it. The movie is a nonstop thrill ride that doesn’t let up for its short 91-minute runtime.
I watched SEPTEMBER 5 via a screener but would have preferred to see it in a theatrical experience. It has the intensity of a Paul Greengrass docudrama and deserves limited distractions to experience it fully.
SEPTEMBER 5 opens wide on January 9th, 2025.
