A new film depicting the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre left audiences gripping their seats at the Venice Film Festival this weekend.

“September 5,” directed by Tim Fehlbaum, offers a unique perspective on the tragic events by focusing on the ABC Sports broadcasting team that found itself at the center of a pivotal moment in television history.

The 94-minute drama follows Geoff, an ambitious young producer unexpectedly tasked with leading the live coverage of the unfolding hostage crisis. Peter Sarsgaard portrays legendary TV executive Roone Arledge, while Leonie Benesch plays Marianne, a German interpreter. The film blends archival footage with dramatic recreations, including the iconic moment when anchor Jim McKay solemnly announced to the world, “They’re all gone.”

To ensure authenticity, the filmmakers partnered with Geoffrey Mason, an eyewitness who was part of the original broadcasting team at the time.

“Based on his recollections, as well as the inclusion of original footage, our aim was to tell this story of journalistic responsibilities and the power of images as authentically as possible,” Fehlbaum tells Deadline.

“By focusing on the broadcaster’s perspective, we are confronted with the moral, ethical, professional, and ultimately psychological dilemmas of journalists: Can we share information before it is confirmed? Can a live broadcast include acts of violence? What is the role of media and journalism, and what is the line between news and spectacle?”

While many other films have covered the tragic massacre that left 11 Israeli athletes dead, September 5 stands out by focusing on the medias role, for better or worse,  in shaping our understanding of human tragedies.