We all know McCartney is technically a knight—but seriously?
Legendary documentarian Albert Maysles and Paul McCartney have teamed up to commemorate September 11 with a special documentary…about Paul McCartney.
Right off the bat, let me say that I love Paul McCartney. He may even be my favorite Beatle.
In 2001 Rolling Stone published a McCartney profile that described him walking around New York not long after 9/11 with people’s still-gaunt faces lighting up in his wake: “McCartney has a good word or a thumbs up for everyone. He’s weaving that old Beatles magic, and he knows it. He also knows that New York needs it.”
I believe this. The Beatles still stoke our imagination like no other rock band in history, and seeing Paul McCartney is still a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
That said, the idea of framing the 9/11 experience around a figure like McCartney—knighthood and all—feels like it misses the mark of good taste.
Called “The Love We Make,” the doc will air on Showtime on September 10th, the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. According to The Hollywood Reporter, “the film follows Paul McCartney as he journeys through the streets of New York City in the aftermath of the World Trade Center’s destruction. It also chronicles the planning and performance of the benefit concert that took place less than six weeks after the attacks,” known as The Concert for New York City.
Discussing the concert itself McCartney sounds classy enough: “There was a feeling of shock and fear in the air that I thought we could help alleviate with music. And the fact that so many people stepped up to join us made for a very uplifting evening for us all.”
But the notion of a major documentary commemorating 9/11 through anyone’s eyes other than those directly impacted by the tragedy seems to insult our basic sense of respect. Director Albert Maysles goes even further:
There was so much suffering as a result of 9/11 it’s hard to imagine how one might bring relief to those who were impacted by the attacks, and honor those firefighters, police officers and rescue workers who lost their lives in their heroic attempt to help others. But Paul had the answer: music and a film that would tell the full story.
On the morning of September 11 McCartney was sitting on an airplane on the tarmac at JFK. Through his (grounded) plane window, he watched the towers collapse. After the passengers deplaned McCartney caught a car back to his house in Easthampton. A while later he organized a concert. With all due respect, that is far from “the full story.”
Unlike some, the criticism that “McCartney’s not even American” doesn’t bother me—9/11 was a human tragedy, and one anyone could relate to. But we have all the time in the world to obsess over superstars and fame—it seems like commemorating 9/11 should be about the people impacted the most by that terrible day.
Still, maybe I’m wrong on this. McCartney seems to have an almost super-human charm. Maybe seeing a documentary in which he talks about his own experiences surrounding 9/11 will have the same effect on people as seeing him walking around the streets of New York. Maybe it’s part of what comes along with knighthood.
Check out “The Love We Make” on Showtime, Sept 10 at 9pm ET.
July 20, 2011 at 11:42 pm, Lisa Prestino-Migdalen said:
Cannot WAIT for this!!!!
July 21, 2011 at 2:44 am, Mirabel said:
All along those of us who weren’t there have had to see it through the eyes of many other people as they tell their stories. Why not through the artist and his music? No harm.
July 21, 2011 at 10:26 am, Anonymous said:
I’m cautious about it, too. If this film at all smacks of self-promotion, that would be bad. But let’s face it, there will be LOADS of 9/11 tributes to everyone and his brother on the 10-year anniversary this year. This is just one piece of it, looking at how musicians came together to try to help life spirits. So it could be dreadful or it could be good. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
July 21, 2011 at 8:10 pm, Jimadvantage said:
There has been 9/11 docs on the mayor, the fireman, the police and harbor masters and the street vendors to name a few. This one is about a musician who made a difference. Whats the big deal or problem with that?
July 21, 2011 at 8:18 pm, Jimadvantage said:
By the way. Mccartney is more than “Technically” a knight. He is one. Travel thru parts of the UK and you may get a sense of not only the cultural role he has played in england, but the huge economic roll over the generations. Tourists flock to areas of the UK, namely London and Liverpool annually to see Beatle related places and those areas mentioned or sang about in their songs. For a fan, Mr Moore, you kinda seem a bit, lets say “bitter”
July 25, 2011 at 11:03 am, Katie2289 said:
This writer should have written the article after his mind was made up — he has nothing to say except “maybe it’s bad, or maybe it’s good, I don’t know.” Waste of time for him and us.
July 25, 2011 at 11:05 am, Katie2289 said:
And who gives a shit about “knighthood” whatever the heck that is — I declare myself Queen and beknight you all — poof.