Too Soon for a 9/11 Movie?
April 4, 2006 — -- A movie about United Flight 93, which crashed in a field in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001, is currently being previewed in theaters and is raising criticism from audiences that say it is too soon for a movie about the tragedy.
The trailer, which is running before movies like "Inside Man," is catching many viewers off guard. At the famed Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, patrons shouted, "Too soon," and at least one theater in New York City has stopped running the preview.
Some families of 9/11 victims have expressed outrage, but others say that they've grown used to sharing their stories in a very public way and that this movie is no exception.
Before filming, the makers sought the approval of all of the families of the 40 passengers and crew aboard United 93.
"What we did was go and see them -- every single one of them -- to see if they thought it was the right time to make this film, and they were quite clear and quite unanimous that it was," said Paul Greengrass, the director and writer of "United 93." "They want this film to be made."
Ten percent of the movie's first three days of grosses will go to the Flight 93 memorial. "United 93" opens April 28, and several family members are helping to promote the film.
"Our loved ones continue to live inside all of us, so we continue to be their voices," said Kenny Nacke, who lost his brother. "I would hope someone would walk away from hearing the feats of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 empowered."
"This story is about standing up for what you believe in, never letting fear take over," said Allison Vadhan, a daughter of a passenger. "And doing everything you possibly can until you can't."
But a message board on the movie's Web site shows no matter how positive the message, many aren't ready.
"Boycott this movie," reads one entry.
"How dare you?" asks another.
