‘September 5’ to Open India’s Red Lorry Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE)
by Naman Ramachandran · VarietyBookMyShow India’s Red Lorry Film Festival has landed a prestigious opening night selection with “September 5,” the Oscar-nominated drama that recreates ABC’s live coverage of the 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attack.
The announcement comes as the festival, now in its second year, expands to include screenings in both Mumbai and Hyderabad from March 21-23. Directed by Tim Fehlbaum and distributed by Paramount Pictures, “September 5” immerses viewers in the claustrophobic confines of ABC Sports’ broadcasting station during the infamous hostage crisis, where journalists found themselves just hundreds of feet from the unfolding tragedy.
Related Stories
Apple TV+ Viewership Is Surging. Is It the ‘Severance’ Halo Effect?
Disney Sees Sell-Out for Oscars Ads -- And Not Just on TV
The film, which earned an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay, has drawn critical praise for its authentic recreation of the event, seamlessly blending archival footage with dramatic recreations. Reviewing the film for Variety, Peter Debruge wrote that the film raises “important ethical questions that still echo today, as countless crises have since demanded similarly tricky on-the-fly journalistic judgment calls — though none has yielded the record 29 Emmys (a mix of sports and news trophies) that ABC collected for its coverage.”
John Magaro and Leonie Benesch are part of an ensemble cast that includes Peter Sarsgaard, Ben Chaplin, and Benjamin Walker.
“‘September 5’ is a testament to the stories that define human resilience and courage,” said Ashish Saksena, COO of Cinemas at BookMyShow and festival director for Red Lorry. “By choosing this true story, we’re setting the tone for Red Lorry Film Festival’s commitment to bringing profound, globally significant narratives to our audience.”
The festival’s lineup boasts over 120 titles across both cities, featuring award-winners like “Anora” and “The Last Showgirl,” alongside classics such as “Pretty Woman,” “Karz,” and “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.”
Many selections will be making their Indian premieres fresh from the Berlin Film Festival. This year introduces “Red Lorry Film Festival: Take 2” in Mumbai and the debut of “Red Lorry Film Festival: Parallel Verse” in Hyderabad, catering to what organizers describe as “one of India’s most movie-loving cities.”
The festival is sponsored by BookAChange, a BookMyShow Foundation initiative supporting emerging artists through cinema.