Film: September 5

September 5 unfolds like a gripping documentary, inviting us into a pivotal moment in history that I have no recollection of.

Set during the ‘serene’ 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, the film centres around the American sports journalists who were in town to cover the sports, when a hostage crisis unfolded. Suddenly they were propelled to news journalists and we could feel every once of tension as their sense of both duty and being part of history; and so it came to be.

What caught my attention was the film's authentic portrayal of the era, highlighted by the presence of very few women in the newsroom. I recall two. One notable scene features a female journalist who is asked to fetch coffee, a moment that effectively captures the gender dynamics of the time. After she steps out, the atmosphere shifts when it is revealed that the team cannot continue their crucial work until she returns. This journalist, serving as the German translator, emerges as a key figure in the unfolding story, making her absence deeply felt.

Her character was my favourite part of the film; I found myself wishing for a full narrative dedicated solely to her experiences and insights.

Overall, September 5 serves not only as a historical recount of a fraught day when the Israeli competitors were taken hostage but also as a commentary on the resilience and resourcefulness of journalists in the face of a crisis. The film manages just the right amount of tension with moments of humour and insight, making it a compelling watch for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, journalism, and history.

7½/10