John Magaro and Leonie Benesch star in the gripping film September 5, which delves into one of history’s most distressing events. Magaro has been a familiar face in the acting world for nearly 20 years, gaining significant recognition with roles in popular series and films such as Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, Orange is the New Black, the prequel film The Many Saints of Newark, and the acclaimed drama Past Lives. Benesch, primarily known for her work in Germany, has made her mark internationally with her performance in the Oscar-nominated film Teacher’s Lounge and the BBC/PBS series Around the World in 80 Days.
September 5 revisits the critical turning point in media history during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, where an American sports broadcasting team transitioned from normal coverage to the harrowing live reporting of Israeli athletes who were taken hostage. Magaro portrays Geoffrey Mason, a young and determined producer, while Benesch takes on the role of Marianne Gebhardt, a German interpreter. Together with their mentor Marvin Bader, they navigate the tense live broadcast, which had lasting repercussions on how news is reported globally.
The film also features an impressive ensemble cast, including Peter Sarsgaard from The Batman, Ben Chaplin from The Nevers, Zinedine Soualem, Corey Johnson, Georgina Rich, Rony Herman, and Benjamin Walker from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, who co-wrote the narrative along with Moritz Binder and Alex David, September 5 is set to spark conversations around media ethics and the portrayal of tragic events.
Limited Knowledge of the Events
Familiarity with the Tragedy
ScreenRant: Were you aware of the events surrounding September 5 before joining the project?
Leonie Benesch: I wasn’t widely familiar with the specifics. Growing up without a television, I did recognize the image of the masked man on the balcony, and I understood that a massacre had occurred. However, I had no grasp of the amount of media attention or the fact that it entailed a 22-hour live broadcast led by sports journalists instead of dedicated news professionals. The failures of the German authorities during this time were also shocking to me.
John Magaro: I recall seeing snippets on anniversaries or during Olympic events. However, the finer details, like the fact that it was covered by sports journalists instead of a traditional news team, were unknown to me. Discovering that this was the first live global coverage of such an event was quite eye-opening.
Trust in the Creative Team
Honoring Real-Life Events
Is there inherent pressure in portraying true events on screen?
John Magaro: Absolutely. When lives are at stake, we all felt an immense responsibility to accurately represent the victims and the ongoing tragedies similar to what they faced. There was a profound obligation to portray the experiences of those who managed the coverage that day, recognizing it was undoubtedly traumatic for them as well.
Leonie Benesch: Despite the weight of the subject, I felt confident in our director Tim Fehlbaum and co-writer Moritz Binder. They conducted extensive research, so I trusted that the depiction would be handled with care.
A Reflection on Media Consumption
Challenging Audience Perceptions
What do you hope viewers take away from watching September 5?
Leonie Benesch: I sometimes hesitate to say what I hope people learn, as I don’t believe I’m in a position to teach others. However, I value this film because it prompts introspection regarding media consumption, particularly in how we engage with news. I hope viewers will ponder these important questions.
John Magaro: Once a regular consumer of 24-hour news, my perspective shifted profoundly after being immersed in this project. It’s made me reconsider how I consume violent news stories, which have become all too common. I’ve noticed desensitization towards tragic news events, and I hope the audience reflects on their own interactions with similar content.
Overview of September 5
September 5 narrates the pivotal moment that transformed media coverage forever. Set against the backdrop of the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the story follows an American sports broadcasting team thrust into live reporting when Israeli athletes were taken hostage. This dramatic live broadcast reached an estimated one billion viewers, marking a significant milestone in global media.
The narrative centers around Geoff (John Magaro), a young producer striving for recognition under the seasoned executive Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard). Along with Marianne (Leonie Benesch) and mentor Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), Geoff finds himself in charge of coverage as the situation unfolds, leading to critical decisions amidst chaos and uncertainty regarding the hostages’ fate.
- Starring Peter Sarsgaard & Ben Chaplin
- Directed by Tim Fehlbaum & produced by John Palmer
September 5 will have its limited theatrical release on December 13, followed by a global premiere on January 17.
Source: ScreenRant Plus
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