911
Davis, Peter
September 11, 2001 has been described as a day that many of us will never forget. But it seems that we have forgotten. Our lives have resumed their routines; our society has become baser and more superficial than it has ever been; and we have continued a disturbing trend towards self-absorption, selfishness and pettiness. We have forgotten. We have forgotten what that day felt like. And we have forgotten the sacrifices of those who are fighting and dying so that it will never happen again.
It seems that September 11 has merely become an aberration, a diversion for which we, ultimately, had neither the compassion nor the time. And in our race towards wherever it is we are rushing and from whatever it is we are hiding, we have forgotten the most important thing of all: America. Do we even know what this country is about anymore? Do we even understand why it is unique and why, despite the changes of the last decade and the skepticism that has come with it, we still are regarded as the beacon of hope for much of the world?
This piece does not attempt to answer these questions; that's not why I created it. I simply want people to remember that day - not only what happened but what it felt like. The feeling of a knife through your gut, of shock, of horror, of sadness. For my part, I was shocked when it happened - but not surprised. I was deeply sad, almost speechless. And then I was angry. Actually, I was pissed off. My personal sense of pride had been deeply wounded. I may not have been in New York that day, but I am an American; those planes attacked me personally.
In the days, months and, now, years after the fact, those same emotions still stir. They are now joined by a sadness - and even an anger - that we have forgotten. Everything. Hopefully, this piece will help us remember.
Video credits
The video source footage used in this project was shot by some very talented and brave people. They are:
9/11 - The Filmmakers' Commemorative Edition
Gedeon & Jules Naudet
Paramount Home Video (2002)
WTC: The First 24 Hours
Etienne Sauret
New Video Group (2002)
America 911
Camera Planet (2001)
In Memoriam: New York City 9/11/01
Home Box Office (2002)
Additional Footage Courtesy of:
WUSA-TV, Washington, D.C.
Music & audio credits
"O Vis Aeternitatis"
Sequentia
RCA (1994)
"Ave Maria, Virgo Serena"
Josquin Desprez
Virgin Classics (1997)
The Sum of All Fears
Paramount Pictures (2002)
