As the devastating 9/11 attacks turn 20 as the most terrible act of terrorism that took away lives of close to 3000 people, the events that unfolded during and after remain incomprehensible. Here’s where cinema gave a shape to the perception of the attacks through the following films, among others.

The Report

The Report is a drama film starring Adam Driver as Daniel J Jones. The plot of the film revolves around the investigation report CIA’s interrogation in the wake of 9/11. Daniel J Jones is the current head of an organisation called Advance Democracy, Inc. and responsible for a document called “Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Committee Report of the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program” that tells in details about the torture inflicted by the CIA to make people say what they wanted to hear. 

Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Dark Thirty is a thriller that brings to screen all events leading to the assassination of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. With Jessica Chastain in the lead, the film delivers what it promises with brilliant cinematography. 

New York

New York is a Bollywood film that dives deeper into the aftermath of 9/11 attacks and the experiences of Muslims living in the US. Directed by Kabir Khan, it stars Katrina Kaif, John Abraham and Neil Nitin Mukesh in lead roles. The film also features Irrfan Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in significant roles.

My Name is Khan

Starring the iconic bollywood duo Kajol and Shahrukh Khan, Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan delves into racial profiling that made the life of South Asian difficult post 9/11 in the US. Its dialogue “My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist” is profound in that it carries the entire essence of the film. 

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Inspired by Mohsin Hamid’s book The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Mira Nair’s was special in a way that it presented the story from the point of view of a Pakistani American. Riz Ahmed in the lead did full justice to the storyline with his very real portrayal of the character, while the cinematography shows you the stark difference between the post 9/11 America and the dingy lanes of Pakistan.