Director Brian Knappenberger's new documentary, “Turning Point: Generation 9/11,” now available on Netflix, examines the enduring legacy of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks through the lens of individuals who were too young to fully recall the events but whose lives were profoundly shaped by them. The film builds upon Knappenberger's 2021 miniseries, "Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror," and coincides with the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
The documentary centers on individuals like Michael Smoak, who was five years old on 9/11. His personal story, which bookends the film, traces his journey from witnessing the immediate aftermath of the attacks to serving as a U.S. Marine in Kabul two decades later, experiencing the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
"Generation 9/11" interweaves Smoak's narrative with those of other members of his generation. The film features a woman whose father was the co-pilot of United Flight 93, a man who lost his father at the Pentagon, and an Afghan father and husband who fled the country amidst the Taliban's return to power, leaving his wife behind.
To provide historical context, the film includes commentary from experts and first responders, offering on-the-ground perspectives from New York City, the Pentagon, and the crash site of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. These accounts help to recreate the immediate experience of the attacks and the subsequent national response.
Knappenberger’s work explores how the events of 9/11 precipitated an era of global turmoil. The documentary posits that the U.S. government's Authorization for Use of Military Force following the attacks ushered in a protracted “forever war” against terrorism, influencing subsequent events such as the Iraq War, the rise of the MAGA movement, contemporary immigration challenges, and ongoing international conflicts.
The film includes graphic footage from the day of the attacks and audio recordings of final communications from those on board the planes and in the World Trade Center. Reviewers have described the documentary as a difficult but necessary watch, offering both a broad overview of the geopolitical shifts and intimate portrayals of personal loss and resilience.
Despite the grim subject matter, "Turning Point: Generation 9/11" ultimately suggests that younger generations, armed with their unique perspectives, may be capable of driving positive change.