Voices of the lost: 'Zero Dark Thirty' angers families of 9/11 victims
»Play Video
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Cathie Ong-Herrera has not seen the Oscar-winning film "Zero Dark Thirty," nor does the Bakersfield woman plan on seeing it. It's too painful.
Especially upsetting for Ong-Herrera is the fact that the voice of her sister, Betty Ong, is used in the film.
The film begins with the actual voices of victims of 9/11, recorded as they made their last calls. Betty Ong was a flight attendant on board American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to crash into the World Trade Center.
"We were never given any notification," said Harry Ong, brother to Betty and Cathie.
Other families are also objecting to the use of their loved ones' recorded voices in a commercial venture. While the recordings have been used in testimony for the 9/11 Commission and for numerous news reports, the families say using them in a commercial, for-profit movie is different.
The families are asking that Sony and Annapurna Pictures give credit by incorporating the names of the victims of 9/11 in future DVD releases of the film.
But, so far, the families have received no response from the filmmakers on that request.
Especially upsetting for Ong-Herrera is the fact that the voice of her sister, Betty Ong, is used in the film.
The film begins with the actual voices of victims of 9/11, recorded as they made their last calls. Betty Ong was a flight attendant on board American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to crash into the World Trade Center.
"We were never given any notification," said Harry Ong, brother to Betty and Cathie.
Other families are also objecting to the use of their loved ones' recorded voices in a commercial venture. While the recordings have been used in testimony for the 9/11 Commission and for numerous news reports, the families say using them in a commercial, for-profit movie is different.
The families are asking that Sony and Annapurna Pictures give credit by incorporating the names of the victims of 9/11 in future DVD releases of the film.
But, so far, the families have received no response from the filmmakers on that request.
Hypothetically speaking, I wouldn't be upset about it, I'd feel honored that they used the voices. I think they're just complaining because they want a chunk of the profits. At least the movie used the real voices instead of some fake junk.
The movie sucked, that's why they should complain.
You're not asking for respect for their memories - you're asking that someone mentally masturbate a family member of the dead person. What if one member of the family says no and the rest say yes? Or most say no, and one says yes? It's NOT NECESSARY.
Yes, I'd be fine if a child were screaming in agony on a 911 call and it was used to paint zealotry in a negative light. Sentiment is for the weak.
whats the difference from 9/11 victims to news media showing dead bodies covered up on local tv? does the news ask the families "hey can we show your loved one on the ground?" no.
whats the difference from 9/11 victims to news media showing dead bodies covered up on local tv? does the news ask the families "hey can we show your loved one on the ground?" no.
Victoria whats the difference between a movie made almost 12 1/2 years later or the news programs and documentaries that air on tv every year around the anniversary that play the same thing over and over. So why pick on one and not the others?
Put yourself in the livings shoes would you want to jear tje agony of your fam mem dying and be reminded of it when watching a movie.......what if it were a child screaming from torturious pain......you'd still be ok with it? I think not unless your a sick s.o.b
Sony and production company stated they are donating to the "national 9-11 memorial fund" they can make such donations made in the name of "brad" or "ms ong" or any other 9-11 victims whose voices they have used, they also should on the DVD version give credit to the voices used. To let the families know this is done to get the story out not to make more $$.
Sony and production company stated they are donating to the "national 9-11 memorial fund" they can make such donations made in the name of "brad" or "ms ong" or any other 9-11 victims whose voices they have used, they also should on the DVD version give credit to the voices used. To let the families know this is done to get the story out not to make more $$.
People always got to bring up money/trust fund. Why do family members deserve any money? The victims were killed by terrorist. Nobody knew this was gonna happen. It's not a film makers, news program or us americans responsibility to support a fund to go to the families. I understand these families are still saddened by what happened but seriously why do they deserve any money. It can't be for pain and suffering cause its not americas fault....it's those terrorist from another country.
They should have gotten the families permission! Not very respectful to the deceased either!!!!!
Here's the scenario: Family member X dies. Family member A dies. Family member Y grieves. Family member B grieves. Movie Maker Z, obtains the 911 call made by X, for use in their film. NOTE: 911 calls aren't intellectual property. They're public domain content. This means there is no legal requirement for Z to ask Y for anything. You're suggesting it's just polite, so... Movie Maker Z decides to be "polite" and ask Y & B for "permission" to use the voices of X and A. Movie Maker Z calls, family member Y. Y says yes. Movie Maker Z calls family member B. B says no. The voices were selected to tell a narrative, set by the film makers. Why set yourself up with a giant puzzle, to get the same message across, with only the voices you've unnecessarily asked for permission to use? To placate the self-importance of the people who are related to the person who died? No.
If i lost a loved on like that it would destroy me inside . i feel for them . i still remember where i was when i got the big picture of what happen on 911 . at a target in reno nv
"Show respect". Spare me. They died in a national tragedy, at the hands of terrorists. The "voices" are 911 calls. Public domain, not intellectual property. There are enough trusts and scholarships for the 9/11 families.
Whats the difference between the directors using it and the news programs or special documentaries using it. There is no difference. I'm pretty sure not every news program or people who have made documentaries asked for permission to use these last words. So why pick on one when there is so many programs that have done the same thing. This is part of our american history and there's nothing anyone can do to change what happened or what was said at the time this happened.
Yes . i think . the film makers sould of set up a trust for the familys that lost loved ones on 9-11 to show respect to them
Yes . i think . the film makers sould of set up a trust for the familys that lost loved ones on 9-11 to show respect to them
People are too sensitive. Get over yourselves.
People are too sensitive. Get over yourselves.
It's total BS.
You obviously didn't read the entirety of my comments. Try again, or understand that you're suggesting people alive today somehow "deserve" to be consulted on something that doesn't require their legal approval, so that they can feel important.
Then Angelique, you'd be one of the selfish people I was referencing.
I would be upset too!
i would want it in the movie, immortalize the loved one who died. they will never be gone and generations can listen to the voice of the people who died that day. the movie should have been a straight documentary instead of some Hollywood BS but none the less. I say keep it.
Well Steven did u loose anyone in 9/11? I didn't either but if I did I would not want my loved ones voice used in that movie It may bring back bad memories to the families so in my opinion yes they have a legitimate complaint
And if your argument is that "it's the nice thing to do" then remember that you're saying it's nice to interrupt someone's life and ask them to open a wound, randomly, for approval on something. If the film makers just wanted to feel better by asking, it's selfish. If a family member complains they wanted consultation, it's selfish. How about we all just shut the hell up and go on living?
They are wrong for using their relatives voices the directors should have asked permission first
Does that sound nice? No. Is it reality? Yes.
No, it's not a legitimate gripe. Those "voices" aren't copyrighted intellectual property, and the film discusses the tragedy in a respectful light. The creative team developing the film didn't need to seek out every family, and painfully ask them permission for something they didn't need permission for.
They have a legit complaint. The film makers obviously have never suffered the loss of a close family member or they would understand the grieving process and the pain and emotional distress that happens when you hear the voice or receive mail etc. For the deceased loved one. It is excrutiating and reactivates the grief process no matter how long its been. Compassion should rule.
Yes they do have a legitimate complaint... those words are the last the loved one ever spoke and it is very personal to the survivors and family's. The simple solution for the film maker, because I DO think this is an important film, would be to re-create those messages with actors. Simple and cost effective solution.
Trusty garza I think you are 100 percent correct there
I think they want respect given to their loved ones for dying. They are not asking for money per the article, they are asking for her name be shown in the credits. All who died are no less important than those in the movie, they are the reason this movie even exists.
I liked the movie
@ peggiie like everyone wants to remember it every year when it is plastered all over the television
I think making the movie is awful. I hope no one goes to see it. Who wants to relive that horrible nightmare?
they just want to collect the money thats what i think!
they just want to collect the money thats what i think!
Why would they be upset it's real life events !