New 9/11 Movie Set to Reach Faith Leaders

|TOP|Universal Pictures will release United 93, a film based on the true story of the passengers and crew on United Airlines Flight 93, the fourth hijacked plane on 11th September 2001. The movie will open in cinemas in the U.S. first on April 28, before premiering world-wide.

United 93 is written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Paul Greengrass, known for such films as Bloody Sunday as well as the international blockbuster The Bourne Supremacy.

The film was made with the support and participation of the families of Flight 93’s passengers and crew, re-enacting the dramatic story of what happened inside the plane as well as on the ground on 9/11.

“9/11 was the most important event of our lifetime, casting a shadow over all our futures,” said Greengrass. “It’s vital for cinema to begin the task of exploring what it meant, and what it continues to mean today.”

|AD|Motive Entertainment, the company that led outreach campaigns for The Passion of the Christ and The Chronicles of Narnia, is organising an outreach to faith leaders, educators, and other cultural leaders.

Motive Entertainment is creating a variety of “teaching and preaching” materials and resources, to be found at a special website www.U93.org. U93.org visitors can engage in discussion forums and exchange ideas with other leaders who are addressing the key issues surrounding 9/11, including: Why do some Muslims hate America? How should we respond as Americans? As Christians? As Jews? As Muslims?

The www.U93.org website also hosts a list of several possible responses to terrorism, and the pros and cons of each approach, with commentaries, articles, and links to related websites.

“This movie gets you thinking – and praying,” said Paul Lauer, president of Motive Entertainment. “It’s not easy to watch. It’s graphic and disturbing, and it’s a true story. But the story hasn’t ended yet; the final outcome depends on what we do now.”

“The events of 9/11 had a massive effect on me, like everyone, and I wanted to use my position as a filmmaker to contribute something so they are not casually forgotten,” stated Greengrass. “By honoring the families who lost those they loved, I hope we can ensure that their sacrifice is remembered and hopefully seek wisdom in the future.”

Gordon Felt, whose brother Edward was among those on board Flight 93, added, “It is never easy to relive the events of 9/11, yet I support United 93 as a tribute to the heroism of my brother and the 39 other passengers and crew who collectively chose to say ‘no’ on that fateful day. It is my hope that this film is one step in the process of memorializing all of the brave Americans that faced violent adversity on 9/11 and that the meaning of their sacrifice will endure.”