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NYC Epicenters 9/11→2021½

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NYC Epicenters 9/11→2021½
GenreDocumentary
Directed bySpike Lee
Music byTerence Blanchard
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
  • Nancy Abraham
  • Lisa Heller
ProducerSpike Lee
Cinematography
  • Felipe Vara De Rey
  • Kerwin Devonish
Editors
Running time90–117 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseAugust 22 (2021-08-22) –
September 11, 2021 (2021-09-11)

NYC Epicenters 9/11→2021½[a] is an American documentary miniseries. The series follows the chronicle of life and survival in New York City, ranging from the September 11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. It consists of four episodes and premiered on August 22, 2021, on HBO.[3]

Plot

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The series follows the life, loss, and survival of New York City ranging from the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Episode 1"Spike LeeAugust 22, 2021 (2021-08-22)0.212[4]
2"Episode 2"Spike LeeAugust 29, 2021 (2021-08-29)0.163[5]
3"Episode 3"Spike LeeSeptember 5, 2021 (2021-09-05)[b]0.200[7]
4"Episode 4"Spike LeeSeptember 11, 2021 (2021-09-11)0.156[8]

Production

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In March 2021, it was announced Spike Lee would direct and produce a documentary series focusing on the New York City for HBO, with HBO Documentary Films and 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks producing.[9] Lee conducted over 200 interviews for the series.[10]

Reception

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Critical response

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The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.4/10, based on 5 critic reviews.[11] On Metacritic, the series holds a rating of 86 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[12]

9/11 truth movement controversy

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The fourth and final episode of the series, as shown to critics for review, contained a half-hour of Lee interviewing members of the 9/11 truth movement, who promoted conspiracy theories that the towers were brought down by a controlled demolition.[13][14] While the episode also featured scientists who disputed these claims, journalists who viewed the episode criticized Lee, saying that his handling of the content gave "equal voice to both sides".[15] In an interview with The New York Times, Lee said, "The amount of heat that it takes to make steel melt, that temperature's not reached. And then the juxtaposition of the way Building 7 fell to the ground — when you put it next to other building collapses that were demolitions, it’s like you’re looking at the same thing. But people going to make up their own mind. My approach is put the information in the movie and let people decide for themselves. I respect the intelligence of the audience".[16]

On August 25, it was announced Lee would re-edit the episode following criticism, with HBO removing the previous cut from a screener platform.[17] The revised cut of the episode runs thirty minutes shorter, and excludes the interviews which promote conspiracy theories, though Abbey White of The Hollywood Reporter said that a segment in episode three, which presents conspiracy theories about United Airlines Flight 93, was not amended.[18]

Notes

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  1. ^ Rendered in some program listings as NYC Epicenters 9/11 Through 2021 and a Half, or NYC Epicenters 9/11–2021, due to technical restrictions.[1][2]
  2. ^ Episodes 3 was released on HBO Max on September 3, 2021, ahead of its weekly HBO premieres.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "What to Watch Today: The Walking Dead's End Begins, Ron Howard and Spike Lee Docuseries Premieres and More". TVLine. August 22, 2021. Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  2. ^ "NYC Epicenters 9/11 - 2021". TVPassport. Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "Four-Part Documentary NYC EPICENTERS 9/11➔2021½, Spike Lee's Personal Journey Through Two Decades Of Seminal Moments In The Life Of New Yorkers, Celebrating The City, Its Residents And Their Resilience, Debuts August 22". WarnerMedia (Press release). August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  4. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 24, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.22.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  5. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 31, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.29.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  6. ^ HBO [@HBO] (September 3, 2021). "Episode three of Spike Lee's #NYCEpicenters is streaming tonight on @hbomax" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 8, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.5.2021 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  8. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 14, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.11.2021 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  9. ^ Zorilla, Mònica Marie (March 1, 2021). "Spike Lee Sets Sept. 11 20th Anniversary Documentary at HBO". Variety. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  10. ^ Perez, Rodrigo (August 13, 2021). "Spike Lee's New 4-Part Doc 'NYC Epicenters 9/11➔2021½' Debuts August 22 ON HBO". The Playlist. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  11. ^ "NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021½: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  12. ^ "NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021½: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  13. ^ Blisten, Jon (August 25, 2021). "Spike Lee Reworking Episode of 'NYC Epicenters' After 9/11 Conspiracy Theory Criticism". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  14. ^ Stahl, Jeremy (August 24, 2021). "Spike Lee Has Fallen Down the 9/11 Truther Rabbit Hole". Slate. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  15. ^ Jacobs, Julia; Ugwu, Reggie (August 26, 2021). "Spike Lee Removes Conspiracists From HBO 9/11 Series After Criticism". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  16. ^ Ugwu, Reggie (August 23, 2021). "Spike Lee, Exultant at the 'Epicenter'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  17. ^ Moreau, Jordan (August 25, 2021). "Spike Lee Is Re-Editing His Sept. 11 Docuseries Episode Featuring 9/11 Truthers". Variety. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  18. ^ White, Abbey (August 26, 2021). "Spike Lee Removes Conspiracy Theories From Final Chapter of 'NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021½' After Outcry". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
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