Jules and Gédéon Naudet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jules and Gédéon Naudet
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Gédéon Naudet (left) and Jules Naudet (right), posing with their Peabody Award, May 2003
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| Born | Jules Clément Naudet April 1973 (age 52) Thomas Gédéon Naudet March 1970 (age 55) Paris, France
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| Occupation | Filmmakers |
| Known for | 9/11 documentary |
Jules Clément Naudet and his brother Thomas Gédéon Naudet are French-American filmmakers. They are famous for their documentary 9/11. This film shows important events from the September 11 attacks in New York City. The brothers became citizens of the United States in 1999.
Contents
Growing Up and Education
Jules and Gédéon Naudet moved to New York City from Paris, France. They came with their parents, Jean-Jacques and Shiva. Both brothers studied at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. They graduated from there in 1995. The Naudet brothers became American citizens in 1999.
Filmmaking Career
Gédéon and Jules released their first film in 2000. It was called Hope, Gloves and Redemption. This film was about young boxers training in the Bronx and East Harlem. It also showed the 1998 New York Daily News Golden Gloves tournament.
Filming the 9/11 Attacks
In 2001, the Naudet brothers were making a documentary about New York City Fire Department (FDNY) firefighters. They were following a new firefighter, Antonios "Tony" Benetatos. He was learning about life in a firehouse.
On the morning of September 11, Jules went with some firefighters. They were checking a gas leak in Lower Manhattan. Gédéon stayed at the firehouse to film Benetatos. While Jules was on the street, American Airlines Flight 11 flew right over them. Jules filmed the plane as it crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Jules went inside the North Tower with the firefighters. He filmed them setting up a command post. He also filmed people leaving the building. He saw the firefighters' reactions as United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower. When the South Tower began to fall, Jules found shelter with Chief Joseph W. Pfeifer. He used his camera's light to help find injured people.
Meanwhile, Gédéon filmed Benetatos at the firehouse. He then went outside to find Jules. Gédéon filmed people's reactions and the falling debris. He also filmed Flight 175 hitting the South Tower. He later returned to the firehouse. There, he filmed off-duty firefighters arriving to help.
When the North Tower collapsed, both brothers ran for safety. Jules found shelter with Chief Pfeifer. Gédéon helped an FBI agent carry an injured person. The brothers later had an emotional reunion. Their video footage became very important. It was one of the clearest recordings of the 9/11 attacks.
Later Documentary Films
After 9/11, the Naudets continued making films. In 2004, they produced Seamus. This was a story about growing up.
They also produced In God's Name. This film explored current events through the thoughts of twelve spiritual leaders. It included leaders from different religions around the world. The film was first shown in the United States in December 2007. A book that went with the film was published in 2008.
In 2013, their documentary The Presidents' Gatekeepers was shown. This film included interviews with many White House chiefs of staff. It also featured former presidents Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush.
In 2015, the Naudets produced and directed The Spymasters: CIA In the Crosshairs. This documentary had interviews with many former directors of the CIA.
In June 2018, they released November 13: Attack on Paris on Netflix. This documentary featured interviews about the November 2015 Paris attacks. In 2022, they released January 6th on Discovery+. This film included interviews about the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
Personal Lives
Jules Naudet is married to Jacqueline Longa. They have two children. Gédéon Naudet is married to Aude C. and also has two children.
