I think we all knew where we were during 9/11 2001, an event seared into the minds of all who witnessed it and into the hearts of all those who were directly affected by it, forever. The impact on their lives is hard to feel in tangible terms. Most of us around the world saw it through television screens and for once it wasn't a story that felt so far away. The direct lasting impact of 9/11 on New Yorkers (and others) has been one of long term PTSD for many, cancer and other related illnesses for others and a complex array of lawsuits over compensation that took a team a long time to resolve (See the film Worth, for an excellent dramatisation regarding that specific issue)
Then there is Building Seven (WT7) also known as the Salomon building, which collapsed, almost in demolition style, later the same day. The nature of the buildings collapse, partially caused by damage sustained by the collapse of WT1 & WT2, mirrored that of a controlled demolition and gave rise to a number of conspiracy theories regarding if its demise was intentional or not. Now I will add here I am not an advocate that 9/11 was a US Government conspiracy. I do not believe there was a widely orchestrated cover-up. However I am a bigger believer in free speech and also a firm believer in listening to a well articulated argument and there still questions that many feel are unresolved. It is often the role of a documentary film maker to establish facts and ask questions, and find answers to such issues they seek to tackle in their narratives. Questioning any official version of the events in questions comes with an inherent risk of career suicide. So before one is so dismissive of a work, it's always best to actually watch it first and understand the film makers motivations behind it.
With 'Seven' filmmaker Dylan Avery does just that. He asks questions, and explores the issue of WT7 with a number of top structural engineers in the field and explores the various arguments. A range of qualified experts took part in this documentary and there was not a crackpot among them. These were people who only dealt in facts. This is not a film that trusts a conspiracy theory down your throat. This is a discussion on a topic which has divided opinions on the exact cause of building's Seven's demise. Avery wisely avoids being drawn into wild speculation theories but sticks to the science and tackles the facts. The credible line up of those who are skeptical give the film more weight than others which have explored similar topics in the passed.
Challenging any of the established narratives of 9/11 requires a careful and sensitive approach and that is what Avery delivers here. You may reject the arguments the film explores, but explores is the right word. It is after all the cornerstone of any democracy that you should be able to ask questions. The Vietnam war was known to be unwinnable before American boots were even on the ground, but those who back then tried to tell anyone that, were derided. It is right and proper that questions should be asked, even if the answers to those same questions are plausible and there's an answer, we should live in a society where it's okay to ask them in the first place and that is really what is at the heart of this film.
Ultimately this documentary might leave you with more questions than it does answers it is still compelling viewing, especially for anyone who still has questions on this issue. As a piece of work, it is as important as the more widely distributed films on the topic. Avery is an important film maker, as his previous documentary, 'Black & Blue' on Police brutality has shown he is more than capable of taking on difficult topics and has outgrown his earlier efforts of his youth. It's important to note that the latter documentary is a film which he undertook way before the events of George Ffloyd, Fruitville Station or BLM had even transpired, but has had a criminally poor release and even less recognition that he deserves. His efforts to tackle such difficult social and political narratives should be applauded, not derided and his efforts deserve wider recognition than the industry appears willing to give him. Watch it and decide for yourself. Recommended.
