Court TV next week will air “On Native Soil: The Documentary of the 9/11 Commission Report,” a documentary on the 9/11 commission. Weeks before the fifth anniversary of 9/11, The Hill’s Betsy Rothstein spoke exclusively with Linda Ellman, a former three-time Emmy Award winning NBC Network News producer-turned-filmmaker who is based in Los Angeles.

Ellman conducted interviews with lawmakers and family members of 9-11 victims and says the film became an “obsession” in her life. The commercial-free version of the 88-minute film airs on Aug. 21 at 10 p.m. A 120-minute DVD version will release the following day for $26.98.

Q: The music in the film, “On Native Soil,” is so intense. What was your thinking behind the music choices?
A: “The music was composed by Michael Tavera, a feature film composer. [Our thinking was] that the music should be intense. This film was designed to take viewers and put them back to the day in the moment. It’s five years ago, OK? It’s very easy to forget how you felt that day. We wanted people to feel as they did when it was happening so they would understand the gravity of what we were presenting.”
 
Q:Several lawmakers appear in the film. Was it hard to get them to participate?
A: “I’m very appreciative for their involvement and help with the formation of the commission. They were very involved with the family members, and they were gracious enough to allow me to interview them. They did it because they know how important the subject matter is and they wanted to thank the families. The goal of this film was to be bipartisan. It specifically doesn’t take aim at one administration or another. It’s meant to be a first look at the investigation.”

Q: That may have been the intention, but don’t you think the film makes the Bush administration look bad?
A: “The Clinton administration is just as guilty and [the film] makes them look just as bad. The glare and focus of attention would have been on them. There was plenty of opportunity during the Clinton administration to take out [Osama] bin Laden and decisions were made not to do so. We also point out that the Clinton administration didn’t respond to the attack on the U.S.S. Cole.” 

Q: What is your background?
A: “I spent 13 years as a producer for NBC network news, standing at the Berlin Wall with Tom Brokaw when it was broken, earthquakes, floods, fires, and political campaigns, all the major stories from Jonestown to Tiananmen Square. I’m an independent television producer, Ellman Entertainment. We do nonfiction television shows and documentaries.”
Q:Where were you on 9/11?
A: “I was lying in bed at home in Los Angeles glued to the television set. I always felt that I wanted to know more about it as one does as a journalist.”

Q: How is this film different from other 9/11 films?
A: “This film connects the dots of the investigation. This is an event that unfolded live on television and people saw it live in their living rooms and bedrooms and kitchens. But most people don’t know what happened …. There is something in it for everybody. As far as lawmakers are concerned, it is a first look. I’m personally convinced there will be many more investigations into what happened … more that will shock and horrify us.” 

Q: What do you hope this film will accomplish?
A: “The message of the film is that ordinary citizens can make a difference in government. I hope this film motivates more ordinary citizens to hold their elected officials accountable. Erin Brockovich showed us that one person can make a difference. Ordinary citizens can make a difference in Washington.”

Q: Have you shown this film to people and how did they react?
A: “One of the toughest things I’ve ever done is I held a screening in New York City last July and invited all the family members to attend. I’ve never been so scared in my whole life waiting to see their response. They all entrusted me with their stories. Oh my God, there were a lot of tears, including [mine]. But when the film ended, Lee Hanson (son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter were on the flight that crashed into the World Trade Center) stood up and said, ‘Finally the truth about 9/11.’”