9/11 Iconography

The Reeler's post about the use of 9/11-related imagery in the soon-to-be-released remake of "The Omen", as well as the continuing discussions of "United 93" and "World Trade Center", have prompted me to muse about pop culture's processing of tragic events.

• Movies about 9/11, more than written works, are probably regarded as controversial and threatening because watching a theatrical release is a communal experience. Individuals leave their private homes to join publicly with members of their community in viewing and reacting to frightening material. They make a conscious decision to risk exposing their tastes, fantasies and emotions to strangers. One viewer might cry at different points in U93, for example, while another might grip his or her armrest in fury. There are no norms by which the members of the audience know how to react or behave.
• I don't believe organizations or the government should dictate the "right" time for pop culture to address sensitive topics. An individual who worked in or around the towers or lost someone dear may find it difficult to view certain images for years to come. A young child halfway across the world, in contrast, might see the planes and firebursts and falling debris as simply a scene in some sort of action movie. He will need someone to educate him about the significance of what he's seen. I think the members of a free society and free market will vote with their feet and wallets and determine whether an artist has produced a work that is appropriate in a particular time and place. I don't think they need an intermediary to intervene on their behalf.

Technorati tags: The Omen, World Trade Center, United 93, 9-11