Tim Fellbaum’s best-selling film, September 5th, a potential Oscar contender, is making a big splash on the film festival circuit. If any studio wants to add another award-winning film to its slate, this one could go a long way if the right guidelines are followed.
The film, which received rave reviews in both Venice and Telluride, could have a major impact due to its compelling and timely story. Set on September 5, 1972, the film depicts the international hostage crisis involving the Israeli Olympic team as it unfolded live on global television. However, the story is told from the perspective of the broadcasters. The historical drama features a talented cast including John Magaro, Peter Sarsgaard, Ben Chaplin and Leonie Beneš.
“September 5th” is a tense, suspenseful thriller, and even if you’ve seen (and hopefully admired) Steven Spielberg’s “Munich” (2005), this new narrative is worth more than just its perspective, reminiscent of earlier Oscar-winning films like “Spotlight” and “All the President’s Men.”
Read: You can see all the Oscar predictions in all 23 categories on one page at Variety Awards Circuit: Oscars
Written by Fellbaum and Moritz Binder, the screenplay is a vibrant exploration of the ethical responsibilities of journalists, making it a strong contender for the book branch to be cited in the Best Original Screenplay category. The film’s short 91-minute runtime, coupled with Hansjörg Weisbrich’s meticulous editing, boosts its awards potential.
Sarsgaard, who plays producer Ron Arledge, reprises his iconic role as a news editor who uncovers fabricated stories in Shattered Glass (2003). In what looks to be a weak year for supporting actor contenders, Sarsgaard could secure his first Oscar nomination if he campaigns properly. Chaplin's passion is evident as a Jewish producer who begs his network to tread carefully.
Magaro, who has established himself as a reliable and accomplished actor in independent cinema — despite being overlooked for roles in “Past Lives” and “First Cow” — emerges as a true leading man in “September 5.” During a Telluride Pioneers luncheon, Sarsgaard praised Magaro’s work, saying, diverse His positive experience with Magaro prompted him to recommend the actor for his wife Maggie Gyllenhaal's upcoming directorial project, “Bride,” set to be released next year.
Magaro delivers another dynamic performance as Jeff, the young, inexperienced producer who gets caught up in one of the most tragic moments in television history. However, placing him in the lead actor category may be a challenge in a competitive field.
Beneš, who gained attention for her role in last year’s Oscar-nominated “The Teachers’ Lounge,” brings a sense of urgency to her character, as she struggles to prevent her country from being tainted by its darkest sins. Her performance could draw comparisons to past Oscar nominees Rachel McAdams (“Spotlight”) and Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game”).
But first, “September 5th” needs a distributor. Even with its potential, a studio might choose to push the film’s release to 2025, when this year’s awards calendar is already filled with every festival that passes. Still, with the right campaign, this powerful film could in time become one of the most talked-about contenders of the season.
