United 93
So Universal Studios is the first major media enterprise to capitalize (in the Capitalist sense of the word) on the tragedy of 911. From what I’ve read (1, 2, 3), their new movie, United 93, is tastefullly done. It honors the heroes, sheds light on the truth of the situation, and doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to realism.
Some have claimed that it’s too soon for such a movie, even chanting “Too Soon!” in theatres at special screenings. I too am bothered by this situation … not because it’s too soon, but because Universal is making money, and lots of it, off the death of these people. They and the critics can say whatever they want, but they’re simply making lots of money.
I think it’d be great if they’d suddenly become “the bigger man” and commit all of their proceeds from this movie to the families of the victims. It’d be one of the greatest PR moves any studio has ever made. But sadly, they’re smarter than this … it’d set a precident and expectation that they’re just not willing to live up to. So instead, they’ve committed a meager 10% of the proceeds from only the opening weekend. They might as well just donate some popcorn and a free movie poster!
April 28th, 2006 at 7:46 pm EST
i agree. i was looking forward to seeing the movie because it is crediting those people on 93 and giving them credit for what they did, but capitalizing on it does kind of put a damper on the whole thing.
i dunno, i’ll probably still see it just because it has my interest, but i’ll also probably cringe at the box office knowing that the eight bucks is going straight into the pocket of a corporate bigwig who doesnt need the money anyway.
April 28th, 2006 at 8:01 pm EST
Sometimes it’s nice being cheap … I can avoid the whole moral dilemma by waiting until a copy is available at the public library.
April 29th, 2006 at 5:34 am EST
I saw an interview with several of the families of those who died. They were invited to a screening of the film before its release. From what they said, they are happy that the movie was made for the most part. Even though it was hard for them to watch, it seemed that the importance for them in the release of the movie is that the members of their families that died were being viewed as the heroes that they are. So, I guess in a lot of ways it is not about money.
My opinion is that people are just not happy unless they have something to protest. You can’t replace a life with financial gain. I think if the families of those who died are ok with the making of the film, then the rest of us need to get over it.
April 29th, 2006 at 6:51 am EST
I see what you’re saying, Kelli … but your thinking is very postmodern and relativistic. Those individuals in those families, regardless of their proximity to the situation, do not set the standard for my morality and ethical beliefs. Just because they’re ok with something doesn’t make it right!
February 19th, 2007 at 10:25 pm EST
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