9/11 Documentary Director: Truth Must Prevail

The former NBC News producer is afraid that the two feature films about 9/11 that are to open in cinemas soon might contort the truth, by presenting only a fictionalized part of it. This may, in turn, offer a broken image of what happened in 2001 and make her documentary lose some of its force.

'I hope the truth doesn't get lost amongst the fiction. I don't have a problem with fictionalized stories or fictionalized efforts about 9/11, because people need to be kept aware and should never forget. I just hope the truth isn't replaced by fiction, because the truth is shocking', the creator of 'On Native Soil' told Reuters.

The director, who will be making her debut with the documentary, is referring in particular to Oliver Stone's latest and probably most mediated production, 'World Trade Center'. It was already pre-viewed by police officers and firefighters who, teary-eyed and almost speechless, declared it too strong and too close to what happened to be seen calmly.

'World Trade Center' opens and cinemas on August 9 and it will be closely followed, on September 10, by the ABC miniseries 'The Path to 9/11'.

Ellman's documentary was based on the 9/11 Commission Report and had a budget of a little over $1 million. It is scheduled for release on August 21st and it is narrated by Kevin Costner and Hillary Swank.

'On Native Soil' includes unseen footage and interviews with the victims' family members, besides the familiar images of the terrorist attacks and subsequent collapse of the two towers. It aims to 'present a historically accurate version of events as they unfolded, almost in real time', Reuters informs.