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9/11 Kids

Directed by Elizabeth St. Philip
Canada, 2019 (documentary, 88 minutes, colour, English)
Also known as "Die Klasse von 09/11: 20 Jahre danach", "La classe du 11-Septembre : 20 ans après"

Film Description [in French] :
"Cette rencontre avec le président George W. Bush, porteuse d'espoir et promesse de reconnaissance, ces élèves de CE1, membres de la communauté noire oubliée de Newtown, à Sarasota, en Floride, se souviennent l'avoir attendue avec impatience. Mais ce 11 septembre 2001, l'onde de choc des attentats terroristes frappe l'Amérique en plein coeur, et l'inimaginable déflagration emporte tout. 'Le président a relevé la tête, il avait l'air complètement perdu', témoigne l'un des anciens écoliers qui l'avaient accueilli ce jour-là. Aujourd'hui âgés d'une vingtaine d'années, ils racontent leur parcours, dramatique pour certains d'entre eux, et partagent leurs espoirs pour l'avenir. Après un retour en images et en témoignages sur la visite de George W. Bush à l'école Emma E. Booker le 11 septembre 2001, Elizabeth St. Philip promène sa caméra dans les rues de Sarasota pour dresser le portrait d'une dizaine des anciens élèves présents au moment où le président américain a été informé de l'attaque sur les tours jumelles. Partageant les souvenirs de leurs camarades, ils confient leurs rêves d'enfants d'hier et leurs cruelles désillusions. [...] "
-- Film-documentaire.fr (source)

Film Description:
"9/11 Kids is about a unique group of Americans: the 16 schoolchildren who were with President George W. Bush on the morning of September 11, 2001. Many will remember the moment: a group of adorable second graders reading My Pet Goat to the President when all of a sudden White House Chief of Staff Andy Card hurries over and whispers to Bush: 'America is under attack.' Never before in history has the President been caught on camera at the exact moment he learns of something so momentous. The place was Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida. The kids, all six or seven years old, were chosen because they were some of the best readers at Booker, a place where test scores were way up compared to other schools in the district. It was the perfect place for Bush to promote his education program, No Child Left Behind. September 11, 2001 was supposed to be about education, these children, and hope for the future. The film tracks down the kids today to find out what's happened since. They are all in their mid-20s, trying to find their footing in a country and world that changed so much after 9/11. Their stories are narratively rich and diverse: some have been remarkably successful, while others have fallen on hard times and the film follows their struggle to overcome shocking personal tragedies."
-- Saloon Media (source)


Film Credits (partial):
Produced by: Elizabeth St. Philip, Steve Gamester, Betty Orr, Michael Kot, Hanna Jovin
Cinematography: Chris Romeike
Film Editing: Greg West
Production Company: Saloon Media
(sources)

Award won by 9/11 Kids

Notes about 9/11 Kids

(sources)

Web Sites about 9/11 Kids


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