Recap: "A Conversation with the Creators Behind the Netflix Film 'Worth'"

To mark the release of the trailer for the Netflix film “Worth,” the Museum welcomed 9/11 family member Charles Wolf, special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Ken Feinberg, administrator of the fund Camille Biros, actor Laura Benanti, Academy Award nominee Michael Keaton, director Sara Colangelo, and writer/producer Max Borenstein for a very special public program. The panel comprised members of the creative team behind the feature film, as well as some of the real people who inspired key characters.

Based on true events, “Worth” tells the story of lawyer Ken Feinberg, who was assigned to allocate financial resources to the victims of 9/11. Feinberg and his firm’s head of operations, Camille Biros, faced the impossible task of determining the worth of a life to help the families who had suffered incalculable losses. “Worth” is a moving reminder of the power of empathy and the value of human connection. It will premier on Netflix on Friday, September 3rd, 2021.

In the clip below, writer/producer Max Borenstein discusses how his creative process was influenced by the prevailing sense of empathy in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks: 

“It captures a thing that I remember in the aftermath of 9/11 as someone who didn't personally lose anyone. But what I remember is a sense of fellow feeling, and empathy, and connection that one had with everyone you encountered in those days following 9/11, both here and I was abroad shortly after. And when people heard my American accent, they immediately connected to me about where were you, and did you know anyone, and no, you didn't, but you feel something and we feel something. We feel the same thing. We feel empathy. And that's such a unique experience, period, but I think more and more now when people are so fragmented. And I think the film has captured that in what the production has pulled off and with Sara managed to convey in terms of that beneath the bureaucracy, there's this sort of this sensitivity and this empathy that I think 9/11 as awful as it was did bring out in people the best in people in many ways.” – Max Borenstein

This public program was presented in partnership with Netflix. For upcoming public programs, check 911memorial.org/programs. For previous events, visit our program archive. 

By 9/11 Memorial Staff