What Really Happened? — Interview with Jason Bermas, 9/11 Documentarian

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, the country has seen dramatic shifts in its world standing, weakening economic stability, the demolition its bill of rights and care for international law, all while going about the process of ending the lives of thousands of its own and allegedly over a million more overseas.

Since that fateful day, a movement of vocal dissent has risen out of every prior political faction or ideology, comprised of people who recognize shortcomings in the American government’s explanation of the attacks, and want some answers. Some wear black and wave signs at highway overpasses. Others pass out DVDs at public events. And yet more shout questions at federal politicians with an eager video camera at the ready.

While frequently involved with the anti-war movement, the 9/11 Truthers are focused on what they feel is the root of President Bush’s extraordinary power grab and prolonged military occupation of Iraq.

One DVD commonly distributed at 9/11 Truth and anti-war events is Loose Change: Second Edition, created by filmmakers Dylan Avery, Jason Bermas, and Corey Rowe. The film alleges that criminal elements within the United States government were complicit in the attack, and that what happened in New York, Washington D.C., and on-board United Flight 93, was not as the 9/11 Commission Report claims.

Since its release, the 9/11 Truth movement has exploded in popularity. A 2004 Zogby poll found that half of New York City residents believed the government had some foreknowledge of the attacks. Just two years later, a CBS/New York Times poll determined that only 16 percent of the American public thinks the government is telling the truth about 9/11. Their banners, signs, and cries of “Investigate 9/11!” are becoming ubiquitous across America.

Loose Change: Second Edition is one of the most-watched films ever released on the Internet. Its successor, based on a refined philosophy of film making and a deluge of new research, video, eye-witness accounts and political progress, is Loose Change: Final Cut, released on the Internet and DVD November 2007.

Recently, Stephen Webster, contributing writer of the Lone Star Iconoclast, had a chance to sit down with Jason Bermas, co-creator of the film. The following is excerpted from that interview.