‘September 5’: A Look At The Historical Drama Generating Oscar Buzz

September 5, PopViewers.com
(Paramount Pictures)

September 5” gets a new trailer, teasing what’s to come from this upcoming thriller. Remember the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics? We’re talking about the day when the Palestinian terrorist group Black September turned the Games upside down by taking the entire Israeli Olympic team hostage. It’s a story that’s been told before, but never quite like this.

September 5, PopViewers.com
(Paramount Pictures)

What makes this movie so unique? It’s all about the lens through which we’re seeing the tragedy unfold. Instead of focusing solely on the athletes or the terrorists, “September 5” puts us right in the thick of things with the ABC Sports TV team.

Directed by the talented Tim Fehlbaum, this film is set to give us a behind-the-scenes look at how a billion people around the globe experienced this tragedy in real-time. It’s a story of regular folks thrust into extraordinary circumstances, trying to make sense of the chaos while the whole world watches. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one when it hits theaters.

What’s really cool about this approach is that it gives us a unique window into how news was made back then. We’re not just seeing the events unfold – we’re seeing how those events were packaged and presented to the world. It’s like getting a backstage pass to one of the most watched broadcasts in history.

And here’s the kicker – an estimated one billion people tuned in to watch this coverage live. That’s right, a billion! In today’s world of 24/7 news cycles and social media, it’s hard to imagine a time when the whole world was glued to a single broadcast.

“September 5” Cast

Now, let’s talk about the folks who are going to bring this intense story to life on the big screen. At the heart of it all is Geoff, played by the talented John Magaro. Geoff’s your classic young, ambitious producer – you know the type, always looking to prove himself and climb that career ladder.

But Geoff’s not just any producer. He’s got the pressure of working under the legendary TV executive Roone Arledge, portrayed by none other than Peter Sarsgaard. Talk about a tough boss to impress! Roone’s a big shot in the TV world, and you can bet he’s expecting nothing but the best from his team, even in these crazy circumstances.

Rounding out the main crew, we’ve got Leonie Benesch as Marianne, the German interpreter who’s suddenly thrust into the spotlight. And let’s not forget Ben Chaplin as Marvin Bader, Geoff’s mentor who’s probably wondering how on earth he’s going to guide his protégé through this mess.

These characters aren’t just there to move the plot along. They’re our eyes and ears into this chaotic situation. Through them, we’re going to experience the confusion, the fear, and the split-second decisions that had to be made as the crisis unfolded.

One of the most fascinating aspects of “September 5” is how it sheds light on the art of live news coverage. Back in 1972, this was still a relatively new frontier. There was no 24-hour news cycle, no internet, no social media. When something big happened, people turned on their TVs and relied on broadcasters to tell them what was going on.

Critical Acclaim

Even before its release, “September 5” is already generating buzz in critical circles. Deadline film critic Pete Hammond didn’t hold back in his praise, declaring that the film “succeeds on every level.” That’s some high praise from a guy who’s seen it all when it comes to movies.

Hammond was particularly impressed with the acting, singling out John Magaro’s performance as Geoff. He described Magaro as “sensational,” portraying “a man trying desperately to rise to the occasion against all odds.” If that doesn’t make you want to see this film, I don’t know what will!

This early critical acclaim suggests that “September 5” could be a big Oscar contender. It currently sits at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and The Hollywood Reporter is predicting for it to win Best Picture at the Oscars.

Whether you’re a history buff, a news junkie, or just someone who appreciates powerful storytelling, “September 5” looks like it’s going to be a must-see film. “September 5” is out in theaters on November 7.

Patrick Curran is a distinguished entertainment editor at popviewers.com, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the digital... More about Patrick Curran

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