On September 11 Anniversary, Robert De Niro Calls for Mamdani to Be a “Bridge” for New York City
As New York City remembers the September 11 attacks, actor Robert De Niro has reflected on the importance of unity, healing and the power of art to bring people together.
The September 11, 2001 attacks deeply affected New York City and the entire United States. Thousands of people lost their lives, while families, survivors and emergency workers were left to deal with grief and trauma. In the years that followed, New Yorkers searched for different ways to recover and rebuild their lives.
One important effort came through the creation of the Tribeca Film Festival, which Robert De Niro helped establish. The festival was created in Lower Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks, at a time when the area was struggling to recover both emotionally and economically.
The idea behind the festival was not only to celebrate films but also to help bring people back to Lower Manhattan. Through cinema, art and cultural events, the festival aimed to create a sense of connection and renewal in a city that had experienced enormous tragedy.
A particularly emotional moment came in 2006, five years after the attacks, when the Tribeca Film Festival screened United 93. The film told the story of United Airlines Flight 93, one of the four planes hijacked during the September 11 attacks.
Unlike the other hijacked aircraft, Flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew members fought back against the hijackers. Their actions prevented the plane from reaching its intended destination.
The decision to screen a film about the attacks was not without concern. Some people questioned whether five years was too soon to revisit such a painful event on screen. For many families and survivors, the memories of September 11 were still deeply personal and emotional.
However, the screening became a powerful moment of shared grief and remembrance. Family members of people who lost their lives were present, along with members of the film’s cast and others connected to the story.
As the movie played, the emotions inside the theatre became overwhelming. The screening gave people an opportunity to share feelings that had often been carried privately for years. Grief, sadness and memories filled the room as people connected through their shared experience.
The event showed how art can sometimes help people face painful memories. Instead of avoiding the tragedy, the film created a space where people could remember, mourn and support one another.
For De Niro and the Tribeca Film Festival, moments like this demonstrated the larger purpose of bringing people together through art. What began as an effort to help Lower Manhattan recover after the attacks eventually grew into one of New York City’s most important cultural events.
Over the years, the Tribeca Film Festival has continued to bring filmmakers, actors, artists and audiences together. Its growth reflects the resilience of New York City and the belief that creativity and shared experiences can help communities recover from difficult times.
The anniversary of September 11 remains a time of remembrance for those who lost their lives and for the families who continue to live with that loss. It is also a reminder of how communities can find strength by standing together.
Robert De Niro’s message of unity reflects an important lesson from the years following the attacks. Even after moments of deep tragedy and division, people can find ways to connect through shared memories, compassion and hope.
The story of the Tribeca Film Festival shows how art can become more than entertainment. It can provide a place for people to express grief, remember the past and look toward the future together. On the anniversary of September 11, that message of unity and healing continues to hold special meaning.