Septiembre 5

September 5 is a gripping documentary, but many analysts believed that the 1972 Munich Olympics attack set a precedent for modern terrorism.

The world watched in real-time as the crisis unfolded, and Black September achieved exactly what they wanted: maximum publicity. This was one of the first instances where a terrorist attack was staged with the global media in mind, creating a model that has since been replicated.

The media's role in amplifying terrorism is complex. On one hand, coverage is necessary to inform the public, expose security failures, and hold governments accountable. On the other, the relentless focus on the perpetrators can sometimes grant them the notoriety they seek. This has led to ongoing ethical debates about how journalists should report on terrorism without unintentionally promoting it.

By revisiting September 5, the film not only honors the victims but also forces viewers to confront the enduring complexities of terrorism, security failures, and international politics that remain relevant today.

September 5 will continue to make our eyes widen. By exploring themes such as tragedy, morality, humanity, and consequences. This film depicts a terrible tragedy that occurred in 1972 from the perspective of a sports broadcasting crew. A very well written and intense drama that will keep us opening our eyes and curious about the storyline. The way they build a tense atmosphere is also very solid, it is done slowly at the beginning and the tension will continue to increase as the film progresses. However, personally, the emotions are there, but still seem to be kinda lacking. There is no introduction or depth to the characters, there is quite a lot of character focus too, but the development is quite okay. With a short duration, they were able to control the pacing and tempo of the film very well. The cinematography is good enough, there are many scenes where the camera is a bit shaky, but that actually makes the film feel more crowded and intense. The scoring here also makes the film even more tense. The acting of the actors looks so natural, John Magaro's acting here is quite interesting. Overall, this is an underrated film in 2024.

The attack at the 1972 Munich Olympics has been told in many ways, but September 5 takes a different perspective: that of the journalists who covered the crisis live. The film throws us into the ABC newsroom, where a team struggles to inform the world while the events unfold with unbearable tension.

The story feels real and intimate because it doesn't need to exaggerate the drama. There are no unnecessary reenactments or cheap emotional tricks. The pressure of the moment is conveyed through intense dialogues, uncertain glances, and the constant feeling that every decision inside that newsroom could change everything. It's a raw look at journalism when immediacy clashes with the responsibility of telling the truth.

The setting is excellent, and the pacing maintains the tension without forcing situations. While some parts may feel slightly stylized for cinematic impact, the film achieves its goal: making us feel the anguish of those who lived that day, not as mere witnesses, but as the ones responsible for informing the world.

As "September 5" (2024 release; 95 min) opens, we are watching an ABC promo on how it is broadcasting the 1972 Olympic Games "live and in color" from Munich, West Germany, a first in television history. We then go to the ABC studio right next to the Olympic village where they are just finishing coverage of the day at 4 am Munich time (10 pm New York time). Not long after, gunshots are heard... At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from Swiss writer-director Tim Fehlbaum ("Tides"). Here he revisits the terrorist attack on the Israeli team at the 1972 Olympic Games, but strictly told from the perspective of the TV broadcasting team (ABC Sports). Multiple issues are raised, such as: should ABC Sports (on site in Munich) take the lead, or ABC News (in New York)? Should they air a potential killing of a hostage be aired live on tv? Etc. The movie plays out almost entirely from the ABC field studio in Munich and hence feels quite restricted (literally), creating even more tension. The cast is terrific, including Peter Sarsgaard as Roone Arledge (as head of ABC Sports). As you are watching this, it almost feels like all of it is happening in real time, but in fact it isn't (these events took place over almost 24 hrs. In real time). Last but not least, the film has a terrific original score, courtesy of Lorenz Dengel (who has collaborated with Tim Fehlbaum before).

"September 5" premiered at the Venice film festival last summer to immediate and broad critical support. The movie started airing in US theaters in December and is now streaming on Paramount+, where I watched it just last night. It picked up an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. It is currently rated 93% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels a little too generous to me. Regardless, if you want to revisit the horrible events of September 5, 1972 at the Munich Olympic Games, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Performances all believable, comedy in the right places, and a pacing and runtime that doesn't leave you peeking towards the exit before the credits.

For someone who didn't really know the story, the details of what went down truly interested me. They did a solid job of not telegraphing the plot points.

Some may find the lack of change of scenery tiring, but I think it worked in this case. I think they wanted you to feel like the control room is your world, and to feel as they did on this eventful day.

They touched on the political and emotional elements nicely. Making you think, without preaching.

Mixing in footage from the actual event, including broadcast footage as well, definitely draws you more into the experience. A nice touch.

While it's not a movie I really intend on rewatching over and over, it is a very well done piece that I'd recommend to friends who enjoy movies like this.