Path to Paradise: The Untold Story of the World Trade Center Bombing
Screenplay byNed Curren
Directed byLeslie Libman
Larry Williams
StarringPeter Gallagher
Theme music composerMitchell Froom
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerAmy Kaufman
CinematographyJean de Segonzac
EditorCindy Mollo
Running time91 minutes
Production companyHBO NYC Productions
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseJune 14, 1997 (1997-06-14)

Path to Paradise: The Untold Story of the World Trade Center Bombing is a 1997 American television film that depicts the events surrounding the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.[1] The film was directed by Larry Williams and Leslie Libman.[2][3] It stars Peter Gallagher and Marcia Gay Harden,[4] and features Andreas Katsulas as Omar Abdel-Rahman[5] and Art Malik as Ramzi Yousef.[6] The film premiered on HBO in June 1997.[7][8]

Plot

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Cast

Production

Filming occurred New Jersey and Manhattan.[9]

Controversy

At the time, the film attracted criticism for how it depicted Arabs and Muslims.[10] A 1997 report by The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee states, "[Path to Paradise] left viewers with the distinct impression that Arabs and Muslims in general are violent terrorists who will continue to attack Americans. One of the film's clear messages was that Arab immigrants are a threat to the United States and are likely to support acts of terrorism [...] Not once did the film suggest that the overwhelming majority of Arabs and Muslims in the United States condemned the bombing and feared the backlash that it might cause on their communities."[11]

It was scheduled for a repeat broadcast on HBO the week of the 9/11 attacks. HBO pulled it from its schedule following the attacks.[7]

References

  1. ^ Wheeler Winston Dixon (2003). Visions of the Apocalypse: Spectacles of Destruction in American Cinema. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231850483.page 70
  2. ^ Wheeler Winston Dixon (2016). Hollywood in Crisis or: The Collapse of the Real. Springer Publishing. ISBN 9783319404813.page 2
  3. ^ Kilian, Michael (14 June 1997). ""Path to Paradise": The 1993 World Trade Center bombing by..." Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  4. ^ King, Susan (11 June 1997). "'Path To Paradise' Chronicles Story Of Trade Center Bombing". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Cartoonish portrayals ruin docudrama on N.Y. bombing". The Standard-Times (New Bedford). 14 June 1997. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  6. ^ Prince, Stephen (2009). Firestorm: American Film in the Age of Terrorism. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231520089.page 234
  7. ^ a b Battaglio, Stephen (1 February 2002). "Drama foreshadowed Sept. 11 / HBO hesitant to show film about first WTC attack". San Francisco Gate. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  8. ^ Rosenberg, Stuart (13 June 1997). "Bring In the Reinforcements (Page 2 of 2)". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  9. ^ Richmond, Ray (13 June 1997). "Path to Paradise: The Untold Story of the World Trade Center Bombing". Variety. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  10. ^ Rosenberg, Howard (13 June 1997). "Bring In the Reinforcements". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  11. ^ "1996-97 Report on Hate Crimes & Discrimination against Arab Americans" (PDF). American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

External links

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