September 12th (David Heinz, 2017): USA

Reviewed by Hanna Olsson. Viewed at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2017.

September 12th is a compelling film about the effects on the world after the terrorist attack on 9/11. September 11th will always be a powerful and sensitive date because of the terrors the world faced and the lives that were lost that day. After this horrendous day, many people were heartbroken and fearful. Even though this day is heartbreaking, the director David Heinz has created a beautiful film on the world as they come together in this time of need.

The movie begins with an aspiring folk singer who is flying to New York for a music gig. Sitting next to him is a young women who is seemingly and openly friendly. All of a sudden the plane abruptly announces that they must land immediately. After landing and hearing about the attack, it leaves everyone in the airport frantic and worried about their loved ones. You can see everyone trying to contact their loved ones on the phone hoping they are okay. With the chaos happening around them, Elliot and Joni stick together. With Elliot’s gig and Joni desperation to be with her mother, they know they must find a way to New York. Luckily they are able to take a van, and with this van they embark on a journey and a new friendship. Along the way they received a constant reminder of love and unity. From gas stations to campgrounds, they harmonized with people from all over who were also trying to cope with the situation going on. With the long road trip ahead of them, they found a common ground of folk music, which helped their relationship bloom. With this common love for music, it was an important way to cope and distract them from the catastrophe that had happened. With the talent of beautiful and entertaining folk music, they shared this music with the people they met along the way. A powerful scene is when they stop at a campground where people from all over the world are stopping as they are also all on a journey to their loved ones. In this scene, you see strangers come together in the heart of folk music. Despite the underlying heartbreak, strangers are able to show love to one another and to still celebrate life and the ones around them. As they continue on their road trip, they pick up two young lesbian hitchhikers. While Elliot and Joni drive them back to their home, they are aware of the young love they have for each other. Once they arrive at the young girls home and are greeted with a meal, the unwanted discussion breaks out when she announces their relationship. Infuriated, her father does not understand and blatantly does not accept their relationship. Astonished, Elliot reminds her father that people have lost their loved ones and instead of being mad, he should just be happy he still has his family around. It is a reminder to appreciate and love our family no matter what because you never know when you can lose them.

Through folk music, this film shows the beauty of how the world unites and supports each other in a time of need. This film took on a serious subject and turned it into a beautiful film showing the stunning scenery of the states and the love the world has to offer.