The Sedona International Film Festival partners with the New York Film Critics Series to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Man In Red Bandana” to commemorate 9/11 and honor a hero of that tragedy. The film will show in Sedona for one day only on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 4 and 7 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

The film screenings will be followed by a 15-minute recorded Q-and-A on screen.

Welles Crowther is a 9/11 hero who went up so others could come down. His story became known eight months following the tragedy due to an ordinary object: A red bandana.

He may have looked the part of an investment banker, but there was one unorthodox piece to his personal dress code, not visible at first.

It was a constant, tucked in the back right pocket of every set of trousers and every pair of suit pants. It was a red bandana his father had given him when he was a boy.

Welles worked on the 104th floor of the South Tower and saved many people on Sept. 11. He was tragically killed in the lobby of the South Tower when it collapsed. He had stayed to help others. The film retraces the unique manner in which his heroics became known, as well as his last inspirational hour — his finest hour — saving others from the upper reaches of the South Tower.

“Man In Red Bandana” examines the many people — family, friends and strangers — who have been inspired by Welles’ actions and the ways they have honored him.

The film also depicts Welles’ folklore stature throughout the United States including songs, artwork and babies named in his honor.

President Barack Obama told stories about the man in a red bandanna. Bewildered and frightened, the people huddled in the smoke and darkness that day on the 78th floor of the World Trade Center’s south tower heard a voice, clear and calm, leading them to the stairs and to safety.

Their guide was a young man holding a red handkerchief over his face. Having helped them, he then went back up the stairs to help others.

“They didn’t know his name,” Obama said. “They didn’t know where he came from. But they knew their lives had been saved by the man in the red bandanna.”

This is a story of sacrifice, selflessness and how the actions of one man have touched and inspired others.
This film is narrated by Gwyneth Paltrow.

“Man in Red Bandana” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 general admission or $9 for Film Festival members.

Tickets are available in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office, by calling 282-1177 or online at SedonaFilmFestival.org.

Both the theater and film festival office are at 2030 W. State Route 89A in West Sedona.