Overcoming our Fears and United 93
Greg Collins
Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: Opinion
Today the film "United 93" will be shown in theaters to a general audience for the first time. This movie depicts the story behind the only hijacked airplane on September 11 to fail to hit its intended target, Washington D.C. "United 93" has created nationwide controversy over whether such a form of entertainment should have been made portraying a 9/11 event and whether now is the right time to show it to the public.
Countless individuals in academia, the media, and the entertainment industry have used the horrific events of 9/11 for a wide range of purposes. Unfortunately, some have exploited these events and their symbolic meaning for their own personal gratification or to intentionally manipulate analysis of its political implications. A professor from the University of Colorado publicly articulated that the people onboard the hijacked airplanes deserved to be victims of the terrorist attacks because of the American values they represented. Additionally, filmmakers have intentionally and systemically used manipulative footage and shoddy critical thinking skills to further their own personal agendas.
Monumental historical affairs will inevitably lend themselves to be subject to these forms of self-promotion and will allow individuals who have no other interest besides their own narcissism to shamefully disrespect the historical and moral significance of the event. However, demeaning instances such as these have needlessly taken advantage of American citizens. In essence, just because many have exploited 9/11 does not mean that one cannot try to confront it honorably through artistic expression.
The fact that filmmakers of "United 93" may reap profits from the movie does not lessen the noble message it transmits. To take a recent example, whatever one thinks of the politics of Michael Moore, he should not be criticized for making money on "Fahrenheit 9/11" and his other documentaries. Whether one defends or vilifies the filmmakers for making a profit is up to his or her own personal convictions. What people can agree on is that exploring the nature and actions of the people aboard United Airlines 93 through an artistic realm can be emotionally gripping in such a way that it is indeed possible to take an historic event and create an art form that honors those who perished.
Countless individuals in academia, the media, and the entertainment industry have used the horrific events of 9/11 for a wide range of purposes. Unfortunately, some have exploited these events and their symbolic meaning for their own personal gratification or to intentionally manipulate analysis of its political implications. A professor from the University of Colorado publicly articulated that the people onboard the hijacked airplanes deserved to be victims of the terrorist attacks because of the American values they represented. Additionally, filmmakers have intentionally and systemically used manipulative footage and shoddy critical thinking skills to further their own personal agendas.
Monumental historical affairs will inevitably lend themselves to be subject to these forms of self-promotion and will allow individuals who have no other interest besides their own narcissism to shamefully disrespect the historical and moral significance of the event. However, demeaning instances such as these have needlessly taken advantage of American citizens. In essence, just because many have exploited 9/11 does not mean that one cannot try to confront it honorably through artistic expression.
The fact that filmmakers of "United 93" may reap profits from the movie does not lessen the noble message it transmits. To take a recent example, whatever one thinks of the politics of Michael Moore, he should not be criticized for making money on "Fahrenheit 9/11" and his other documentaries. Whether one defends or vilifies the filmmakers for making a profit is up to his or her own personal convictions. What people can agree on is that exploring the nature and actions of the people aboard United Airlines 93 through an artistic realm can be emotionally gripping in such a way that it is indeed possible to take an historic event and create an art form that honors those who perished.
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