How 9/11 Changed Cinema
One of the unforgettable tragedies edged in the minds of Americans is the September 11, 2001, attack. Individuals who witnessed and distant commentators can only recount the event at the World Trade Center as a scene in a movie. Terror is a global threat, and the US is one of the main targets of extremist groups.
Movie directors were instructed not to release films that emulated the 9/11 event. It became taboo to include the World Trade Center representations in any release. Some of the projects that were awaiting release had to be edited. For example, the climactic scene of Men in Black II of 2002 was reshot, while the 2001 Spider-Man trailer featuring the Twin Towers was canceled. Other projects that had included the Twin Towers were recalled as well.
The Dark Knight of 2008 is also a film that draws upon imagery to reflect on the 9/11 events. There are two notable characters; Joker and Batman. The director casts Joker as the terrorist while Batman is portrayed as an ambassador of counter-terrorist justice.
The Dark Knight has played a significant role in the movie industry as it has triggered the release of other superhero movies that have taken over mainstream cinema. It is no surprise that this boom has come when the whole world has declared war on terror, for instance, the Iraq invasion by America, among others.
Moral Ambiguity
The global landscape today is embroiled in moral failure and geopolitical complexities. The films are being created to encourage crisis responses, effective leadership, and glorify heroism. Initially, the US fully supported Afghanistan and Iraq invasions in 2001 and 2003, respectively. During that time, research polls indicated that about 90% of Americans supported the military response to the terror attacks. This support declined drastically in the preceding years.
Notably, this US position in the Middle East has been termed as moral ambiguity as portrayed in the Zero Dark Thirty film of 2012 and Hurt Locker of 2008. Long-range drone warfare has also captured the attention of moviemakers and their impersonal nature, as shown in Eye in the Sky, released in 2015. The Homeland series that ran from 2011 to 2020 documents the tensions between Iraqis and the US.
Effects on Other Countries
The 9/11 event has also impacted film in other parts of the world as directors seek to capture the consequences of the event. In particular, the war on terror declaration has far-reaching consequences on many nations’ economies and social welfare. Mira Nair is an Indian director who in 2012 released a movie called The Reluctant Fundamentalist, whose aim was to capture the ethnic and racial stereotyping featured in the American Sniper film. The main character in the film is a Pakistani named Changez, and his career is terminated as he turns into a discriminated immigrant living in the US.
In other countries such as the UK, the 9/11 impacts have been mirrored not only in films but also in other entertainment categories. For instance, NetEnt, a popular casino games developer in the UK, has released several games themed around war, such as the Space Wars slot. These games are available at online gambling sites in the UK. To explore a variety of such slot titles, check out reliable guides where you can get recommendations of the best UK casino sites, what games to play, including slots, and the safest payment option to use, such as e-wallets.
The Movie Continues
There is no doubt that the 9/11 incident is one of the most significant events in the 21st century. The magnitude of its impact has gone down as a generational marker, depending on whether you remember it directly or not. The recent withdrawal of British and US troops from Afghanistan has allowed the Taliban to take over. This is also a build-up from the 9/11 attack, and it is a challenge for Hollywood because the world waits to see how these ramifications are captured in a spectacle of victory and freedom. Within the region, Pakistan is a thorn in the US’s side, with rumours the nations are heading for a major conflict. Afghanistan, is still a larger issue and may be ignored, like many other nations with dictatorships across the world.
Disclaimer:
- As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
- Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976
- Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
- Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
- Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
- This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.
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