Summary: A powerful, documentary collage of relatives of September 11th victims describing what they remember from the day of the terrorist attacks and how they came to work for peace.
I think it is especially interesting to hear now, two years later, because it really took me back to that time, that feeling of awe and sorrow in the days immediately after the event. I also lost my father this year. So, I really related to the man from Ithaca's flashback stories as well as everyone's grief.
I'm really impressed with how you were able to piece together such a long program with no narration whatsoever. The spare use of music served you well.
I especially loved the first half. The second half hour was also well done, and very, very important. I've been thinking about why it didn't hold my attention as well as the first, and I think it is because the second leans more towards exposition and less towards anecdotal storytelling. In my opinion, if the piece was shorter, the lessons learned in the aftermath would stand out more prominently in the mix.
Captivating. Very appropriate application (and removal of) scoring, brilliant editing of the documentary interviews. Most: the overall flow describes a sweep, an arc of emotion and thoughtfulness that can only be described as absolutely human. Too often, shorter news holes cause a preemption of how feelings progress over time. In "Stories of September Eleventh", Scott Gurian is patient, and brings out something deeper. Well worth the wait. Bravo.
[This review refers to the first of two 27-minute segments.]
Comments for The Stories of September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
Produced by Scott Gurian
Other pieces by Scott Gurian
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2 comments
Kerry Seed
Posted on December 02, 2003 at 07:36 AM | Permalink
Review of The Stories of September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
I'm really impressed with how you were able to piece together such a long program with no narration whatsoever. The spare use of music served you well.
I especially loved the first half. The second half hour was also well done, and very, very important. I've been thinking about why it didn't hold my attention as well as the first, and I think it is because the second leans more towards exposition and less towards anecdotal storytelling. In my opinion, if the piece was shorter, the lessons learned in the aftermath would stand out more prominently in the mix.
Geo Beach
Posted on November 28, 2003 at 01:42 PM | Permalink
Review of The Stories of September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
[This review refers to the first of two 27-minute segments.]