
SEPTEMBER 5
Starring: Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, Leonie Benesch, and Zinedine Soualem
Director: Tim Fehlbaum

QUENTIN

Seemingly out of nowhere (it didn’t play at Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, or Venice), September 5 is a dark horse contender for Best Picture. Admittedly, I’m a sucker for journalism movies, but this one is driven by the narrative’s “as-it-unfolds” propulsiveness, which creates an electric, suspenseful, and thrilling look at news media doing live coverage of a terrorist attack for the first time. On top of that, with what is currently happening with Israel and Gaza, it’s as timely and relevant now as the real-life events were in 1972. Add in terrific performances from the entire ensemble, and you’ve got one of the year’s very best.

AMARÚ

There is a calm to September 5 that initially feels too indifferent to the hostage situation ABC Sports reported on during the 1972 Munich Olympics, but you slowly realize, as the film simmers towards its climax, that a quiet intensity is exactly the mood a news crew would have breaking one of the most important events in history. Then you realize, as the movie ends with an almost unceremonious finish, that with 900 million people watching the first ever live televised terror attack, director Tim Fehlbaum just carbon dated the world’s descent into desensitization. It’s chilling.

ADRIANO

I left September 5 feeling that what I had just watched was fake, but not in the sense that the movie's real story was fictionalized. In fact, I felt the gravity of the actual situation quite heavily, as the movie is a well-paced and effective thriller with great performances. That said, the film's wider implications and intentions feel insincere. It tries to point out the moral grey areas of these journalists, but those attempts just didn’t resonate with me. A lot of the writing contributes to that feeling, but I ultimately left the movie not thinking it was bad, just empty.

NICK

I enjoy a good "moment in time" film as much as anyone, but September 5 just seems to be missing something. Although the true story is enthralling (I can't believe much of my generation is unaware of it), its film counterpart is merely fine. I have no outward complaints with the direction or the performances, but no overwhelming praise either. The subject matter also begs for comparison to the current political climate, which definitely colours the film. However, I will give director Tim Fehlbaum his flowers for maintaining objectivity and refraining from turning this into a hero piece.
This film was reviewed by Quentin as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2024 Zurich Film Festival.