Flight/Risk Explained

Flight/Risk
Based On:Crashes of two Boeing 737 MAX planes
Cinematography:Omar Mullick
Editing:Federico Rosenzvit
Distributor:Amazon Studios
Runtime:98 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

Flight/Risk is a 2022 American documentary film directed by Karim Amer and Omar Mullick. The documentary examines the crashes of two Boeing 737 MAX planes through the perspective of surviving family members, lawyers, and whistleblowers.

It was released on September 9, 2022, by Amazon Studios. It was nominated for a News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Investigative Documentary.[1]

Premise

The documentary examines the crashes of two Boeing 737 MAX planes that claimed the lives of 346 people on board. Told through the perspective of journalist Dominic Gates, surviving family member Zipporah Kuria, lawyers Justin Green and Eric Havian, and whistleblower Edward Pierson.[2] [3]

Production

In 2019, Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim met with Mary Inman at a conference, where she informed them a client of hers, Edward Pierson of Boeing was going to be coming forward surrounding the two crashes, testifying in front of Congress. 24 hours later, producer, Leen Karadsheh went to Washington, and began following Pierson.[4] Initially, Pierson turned down their requests to document, but had several conversations with the filmmakers who stated they would stay out of his way and in the background, with the two sharing the same goal of bringing pressure to Boeing.[5] During production, subjects were not asked to sign releases until after filming had concluded, with no limits on what they could later retract.[6]

Release

It was released on September 9, 2022, by Amazon Studios.[7]

Reception

[8]

Soren Anderson reviewing the film for The Seattle Times wrote: "Despite its flaws, 'Flight/Risk' is a comprehensive and stinging critique of a once-proud company that has lost its way and is struggling to make a comeback. And it's a tribute to the people who died and the families who mourn them."[9] Christopher Llewellyn Reed of Film Festival Today gave the film 3 out of 4 stars writing: "The story, full of righteous outrage, is what makes it. I recommend the documentary to everyone, even though it will make you never want to fly again."[10]

Awards and nominations

Award! scope="col"
Date of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
News and Documentary Emmy Awards44th News and Documentary Emmy AwardsOutstanding Investigative DocumentaryAmazon Prime Video[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: News & Documentary Emmy Noms Revealed: 'Vice News Tonight' Dominates As CNN Leads Networks. Deadline Hollywood. Erik. Pederson. July 27, 2023. August 20, 2023.
  2. Web site: Documentary about Boeing MAX 737 Disaster Premieres on Amazon Prime. PR Newswire. September 15, 2022. August 20, 2023.
  3. Web site: Flight/Risk. Amazon Studios. August 20, 2023.
  4. Web site: Flight/Risk: The Film That Changed the Way We Look at Aircraft. eniGma Magazine. Rawya. Lamei. August 20, 2023.
  5. News: Boeing whistleblower's journey from pre-crash warnings, to going public in their wake. International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Nicole. Sadek. October 11, 2022. August 20, 2023.
  6. Web site: How a documentary filmmaker captures "lived experience". Nieman Foundation for Journalism. Kristen. Chin. January 20, 2023. August 20, 2023.
  7. Web site: Prime Video Dates Fall Movie Slate: Harry Styles' 'My Policeman', Lena Dunham's 'Catherine Called Birdy', Sylvester Stallone's 'Samaritan', 'Good Night Oppy' & More. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. August 1, 2022. August 20, 2023.
  8. Flight/Risk. flight_risk. film. August 20, 2023.
  9. Web site: 'Flight/Risk' review: Boeing 737 plane crashes center of stinging critique. The Seattle Times. Soren. Anderson. September 12, 2022. August 20, 2023.
  10. Web site: Film Review: "Flight/Risk" Is a Powerful Takedown of Corporate Greed. Film Festival Today. Christopher. Llewellyn Reed. September 9, 2022. August 20, 2023.
  11. Web site: Outstanding Investigative Documentary. News and Documentary Emmy Awards. 26 July 2023 . August 20, 2023.