11'09'01: September 11th 2001 (Amos Gitai, Israel, 2002)
Runtime: 11 min 09 sec 01 frame
Synopsis:
To evoke the sheer scale of the shock wave which followed September 11,
To testify to the resonance of the event throughout the world,
To better convey the human dimension of this tragedy,
To bring reflection to emotion,
To give a voice to all,
A collective film
11 directors from different countries and cultures
11 visions of the tragic events which occurred in New York City on September 11, 2001
11 points of view engaging their individual conscience
Complete freedom of expression.
Amos Gitai
Born Haifa, Israel, 1950. Studied architecture at Haifa, then Berkley. From 1973 he started shooting with Super8, showing a preference for documentaries. In 1989 Israeli television censored his Bait for its merciless comment on government policies; however, the documentary was screened at many festivals. ESTHER, his first feature film, was presented at Cannes in 1986 and won the first prize at the Turin Film Festival. In 1989 his Berlin-Jerusalem was screened in competition in Venice. From 1992 he has devoted his time to theatrical direction.
Where were you on September 11 2001? What did you feel when you learnt about these events?
I was in Paris after returning from the Toronto Film Festival: I was due to return on the 11th, but Michel Propper urged me to advance the departure to the 10th, which in retrospect seemed a very smart move because people were stuck in Toronto. When I arrived in Paris on the morning of September 11, I was met at the airport by Laurent Truchot who took me on his Vespa to meet Marin Karmitz and sign the production contact for "Kedma". While the last details were negotiated in the early afternoon, we were told to turn on the television set and the news of the Twin Towers attack started to pour in. Television did not hesitate to use and reuse and reuse the spectacular dimension of this shocking news.
What events or personal experiences did you want to bring to light through your short? What personal echo to the events of September 11?
The way the media will treat a subject; The way of filming it; the bigger the better.Awards:
2003: Meilleur film de l'Union Européenne, nominated for César Best European Union Film
2003: National Board of Review, USA, winner Freedom of Expression Award, Year Result Award
2002: Venice Film Festival, winner of Year Result Award
| Credits:
Director/Scriptwriter: Amos Gitai |
Galatée Films |
