Drawing on intimate access to eight eyewitnesses, this documentary offers a unique perspective on the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
While there are personal stories from adults who witnessed the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers or heard the explosions close by, there aren’t many narratives about the many children who were also affected by the tragedy. This documentary uncovers the poignant memories of students who attended Stuyvesant High School and was in class the day the tragedy occurred.
Located within view of the towers, Stuyvesant High School was, for many of the students, a dream come true. Even with many commuting from as far as the Bronx, they were really proud to be attending a diverse school that would offer them many opportunities. They recollect being in their classrooms and hearing what they thought was an explosion and not being able to identify what it was, there was a mix of confusion, fear, and worry. As the second plane hit, some students described seeing fogs of smoke outside the windows, terrifying objects they thought was debris falling from the sky, later to discover it was people jumping to their deaths. Not understanding what was happening, some became hysterical and thought about family members who were working in the towers.
After the collapse, the students remember evacuating and running as the dust clouds became closer and deeper. There was an immense amount of people walking, praying and lined up at the payphone trying to call their loved ones. As the news reported that the country was under a terrorist attack, it didn’t take long for the South Asian students to rally each other in fear of being assaulted as they tried to walk home. Sure enough, those wearing hijabs experienced hatred from locals yelling for them to go back where they came from; one student yelled back that he was trying to get to Queens as fast as possible. When they finally reached home, their parents were deeply grateful but most fearful of allowing them outside because of possible hate crimes.
Upon returning to school a week later, they described the penetrating smell of burnt metal being something they wish they could forget. As military security checked each ID before they entered, they felt closer to the student body more than ever because of the support they gave each other. The attack opened the door to discussing hate, racism and even political issues in the classrooms. Years later, some of the students recall still processing the hate in this country, which has always been present but since 9/11, Middle Eastern and Muslims have particularly been targeted for terrorism and a few still shake and sweat every time they hear a plane in the sky.
There are many who never talk about the aftermath of the attacks, how they feel when they hear certain sounds or smells that remind them of that day or the nightmares they can’t get rid of. My hope is more compassion for the adults who were just kids when it happened and are too afraid to speak about the lasting effects they still carry since that day. What I did find beautiful from this film is how many of the students are still close with the friends they made at Stuyvesant High School, as they shared an experience together that would bond them forever. A beautiful documentary, well done.
Now available to stream on HBO
