9/11: The Falling Man
The Falling Man, the story of the ‘jumpers’ of 9/11. It follows the trail of the photographer who nearly lost his life shooting the image; of the citizens who decried it, arguing that it was sensational and exploitative; of the editors who published it and then reluctantly banned it; and the journalist who finally uncovered the falling man’s identity. The Falling Man confronts this single, harrowing image and helps history to give a proper due to the jumpers of 9/11.
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August 3, 2009 at 8:20 am | Michael
When I saw people falling on 9/11 while watching TV, I could not comprehend what was happening. To willingly jump to certain death and free-fall for 10 or more seconds… it is a disturbing idea that will continue to haunt me forever.
September 25, 2010 at 8:14 am | Stephanie Merrill
Some things I think, are not meant to be comprehended in this life. There are so many things that happen, so much suffering, so much pain and fear all over the world, that we have to understand that in our human condition, we are subject to experiencing them and not always understanding them.
My only hope is that we can be more sensitive to our humanity, and the humanity of all the others around us, and not repeat anything close to the events of that tragic day.
We have to remember that every single soul alive on this earth at this very moment is a very special, and loved child of God. I think if more people knew who they were, where they came from and where they are going, individuals would be much more hesitant to carry out such atrocities, and show more kindness to those around them.
November 4, 2010 at 9:13 am | Alex
You forget that these atrocities were in the name of God…
Or have you been smoking that California reefer? That stuff is potent isn’t it?
I figured an insensitive comment deserved another.
March 3, 2011 at 9:56 pm | fuckgreece
much like the atrocities you are doing in Afghanistan and to other poor countries
March 4, 2011 at 1:26 am | Ellie
I am not convinced by the continuous attempt of greedy, power and money hungry, governmental war mongers telling humanity that Muslims, Islam or men of God, in Gods’ name, are responsible for the 911 attack. I believe that is simply not true.
ANY atrocity occurring in ANY country is unacceptable and must stop.
January 2, 2012 at 9:03 pm | Broon
On the contrary, I thought it was a clear and well written comment based in a thinking that takes into account all of humanity on this earth and its struggles with each other. Objectivity is key. All the world’s a stage and not all of what we see or can’t see is pretty but, one must accept it and do their part in life and repspect their fellow woman/man, one to one, on a daily basis. I don’t need a God to remind me we’re all on this boat together so we may as well get used to it, or perish.
May 17, 2011 at 8:51 am | Maia-Jeanne McAllister
Some of the survivors (spouses, usually) have some profound things to say, don’t they. The narration may at times be a little dramatic, but not a problem. This is a powerful challenge to confront the realization that people jumped out of the building. Its horrible, but maybe an important part of the grieving process, especially for survivors who knew someone who died. I understand him wanting people to know, so healing doesn’t mean we’ll forget. process, especially for survivors who knew someone who died. I understand him wanting people to know, so healing doesn’t mean we’ll forget.
May 17, 2011 at 8:51 am | Maia-Jeanne McAllister
Some of the survivors (spouses, usually) have some profound things to say, don’t they. The narration may at times be a little dramatic, but not a problem. This is a powerful challenge to confront the realization that people jumped out of the building. Its horrible, but maybe an important part of the grieving process, especially for survivors who knew someone who died. I understand him wanting people to know, so healing doesn’t mean we’ll forget. process, especially for survivors who knew someone who died. I understand him wanting people to know, so healing doesn’t mean we’ll forget.
November 21, 2011 at 9:37 pm | fuckgreece
Jews at work!
January 8, 2012 at 8:34 pm | FutantWhat
I’ve often wondered about this – the individual person faced with a
no-win dilemma – particularly that day. I saw the jumping live, I think. The
utter horror. The natural tendency to ask what I/you would do. The film maker
leaves the possibility that the Jumping Man may not be identifiable for certain.
But I think he was the sound man from the Windows on the World. I think he is,
among other things, a poignant symbol
for all of us. Talk about end-of-life choice! What struck me the oddest, though,
was how the first and last families
thought to be the possible Jumper’s family – both of them still appeared to
cling to the one “God” mythos. The Hispanic family was worried that if their
loved one jumped, he would automatically go to ‘hell’. How fucking absurd. The
father of the black guy – the sound man – was a Baptist preacher. He refused to
talk about it – saying that he comforts other people (as a priest) going
through their own tragedies – but he was at a loss regarding his own. It
appeared that he didn’t want to go there because it (the whole situation)
implies that the whole God-thing may be what it in fact is – utter nonsense.
Another glaring omission (though you can’t blame the film for this) is that the
ostensible official and overwhelmingly public story of the hijackers was that
they were acting on yet another iteration of the “God” thing. Please, folks.
The whole anthropomorphic idea of a God is a chronic cultural virus. It has to
be discarded already.
An excellent documentary, all the more, and none the less.
March 15, 2012 at 9:28 pm | God
I will watch over you and I love you even if you deny Me.
May 17, 2012 at 1:14 pm | jddalton65
Cmon People! That picture of the Falling man is such a photo shopped fake! Nobody can take a nose dive like that 110 stories to the ground with his arms to his side and his shirt clinging tightly to his body! His arms whould be waving frantically in the air and his shirt would surely be waving about in the wind as he is falling at terminal velocity! Please! Wake the fuck up!