‘United 93’ brings grim reminder to Cannes

Director, stars of somber Sept. 11 memorial bring film to festival

Slide show

The stars come out at Cannes
See images from this year's Cannes film festival.

Movies

Need a refresher on who possesses what powers? Explore the X-Men universe. By Christopher Bahn

updated 2:30 p.m. ET May 26, 2006

CANNES, France - The frivolity of the Cannes Film Festival was interrupted Friday as viewers relived an anguishing day with "United 93," the first big-screen treatment of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The film's cast and crew joined relatives of those who died aboard United Flight 93, the plane that crashed in rural Pennsylvania after passengers fought back against their hijackers.

Director Paul Greengrass had the blessings of survivors of all 40 passengers and crew members killed aboard the plane, and relatives have called the film a fitting testament to their loved ones.

Story continues below ↓

"Many of us were somewhat skeptical at first and afraid that this movie or any other project would exploit the memories of our loved ones," said Gordon Felt, whose brother Edward died in the crash. "But Paul and his team very quickly demonstrated to us that they very much wanted us to be a part of this project. They wanted to hear our stories about our loved ones, and then they did a wonderful job of weaving those stories into the fabric of the film."

The screening of "United 93," already in theaters in the United States, was the festival's second Sept. 11 remembrance. Last weekend, Oliver Stone screened the first 25 minutes of his upcoming drama "World Trade Center," starring Nicolas Cage in the story of two policemen trapped in the rubble of the twin towers.

"United 93" has grossed nearly $30 million since opening in U.S. theaters in April. The film gradually expands to Great Britain, France, Japan and other countries in June, July and August.

The film is shot in a similar docudrama style as Greengrass' 2002 drama "Bloody Sunday," a painstaking re-creation of a 1972 killing of unarmed protesters by British soldiers in Northern Ireland.