September 5

 

“They know the whole world is watching. If they shoot someone on live television, whose story is that? Is it ours or is it theirs?”

Riveting, propulsive and pertinent, September 5 is a sharp and swift journalism thriller covering the ABC Sports teams coverage of the 1972 Munich Olympic crisis that’s tautly edited, tightly written and enthrallingly acted by a fantastic ensemble in one of the best and most timely films of 2024.

Discussion Points:

I’m a sucker for journalism movies, especially ones that are this thrilling and engaging. I’m also a sucker for historical thrillers that cover complex periods or events from the past. So I was always going to be inclined towards liking this. But wow! I was truly impressed. With its combination of sharp editing and intimate camerawork, you feel thrust right into the heat of the many high stress decisions the team have to make from the control room. I loved how the film didn’t shy away from exploring the ethical and moral implications of reporting on a terrorist attack live, and how they’re reporting may actually cause more damage than good. Peter Sarsgaard, Ben Chaplin and John Magaro are all fantastic, but Leonie Benesch was my standout, as the lone German on the team, and only person who feels the national weight of the countries past and its present. I would be very happy for this to get an editing and original screenplay nomination, and if it slips into Best Picture I won’t be upset in the slightest. I also appreciated that the film is only 90 minutes, and phenomenally paced, never feeling rushed and shallow, but never dragging out moments longer than necessary. Just a tight journalistic gut punch that I was thoroughly impressed by.