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We Were Here

Play trailer Poster for We Were Here Released Sep 9, 2011 1h 30m Documentary Biography History Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
During the 1970s, San Francisco became a safe haven for the gay and lesbian community, providing a place where one could live openly, away from discrimination. But, after almost a decade of celebration, the city was hit by a wave of shock and grief when it became ground zero of the AIDS epidemic, with hundreds of gay men falling victim to the disease. Director David Weissman explores the incredible story of love and loss through the eyes of five men and women who experienced it firsthand.
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We Were Here

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Critics Consensus

We Were Here revisits the crises facing the gay community in the early 1980s -- and offers a powerful tribute to the inspiring resolve shown at a time of turmoil.

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Critics Reviews

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Monica Castillo Bitch Media We Were Here does not move behind the scope of San Francisco, which I considered a benefit. It allows the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the story. May 10, 2016 Full Review Melissa Anderson L.A. Weekly A simple, powerful act of bearing witness, We Were Here is a sober reminder of the not-too-distant past, when gays were focused not on honeymoon plans but on keeping people alive. Feb 28, 2012 Full Review London Evening Standard Weissman documents the ingenuity, generosity and optimism of a community that fell victim to a horrible disease that, with astonishing speed, turned the world inside out. Rated: 4/5 Nov 25, 2011 Full Review Steve Cruz OUT FRONT Magazine (Denver) This documentary illuminates the profound personal and community issues raised by the AIDS epidemic as well as the broad political and social upheavals it unleashed. May 9, 2023 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter The best film effort to date that can unite the generations until there's a cure Jun 10, 2020 Full Review Ellin Stein The Arts Desk This powerful, affecting film should help ensure that by remembering the past we will not be condemned to repeat it. May 27, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Gread documentary movie! have watched for free all her movies using boxxy software. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Tim G Beautiful, both so incredibly sad and inspiring. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/28/17 Full Review Audience Member Heartfelt and horrific, this documentary offers a glimpse into the AIDS epidemic (over 15,000 killed) of the early 80s in San Francisco. It's an overwhelmingly sad piece of history, but the first-hand stories are a reminder of how important a strong and brave community can be in the face of terror. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Moving, heartfelt documentary that reflects on first hand accounts of the early days of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco. This is an important piece of history that should never be forgotten and should be viewed for generations to come. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Survivors of the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis tell their stories of survival. With a new more aggressive form of HIV spreading in Cuba, stories we can't afford to forget. CDW Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Moral of the story? Politicians never get things right. Ever! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
We Were Here

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis During the 1970s, San Francisco became a safe haven for the gay and lesbian community, providing a place where one could live openly, away from discrimination. But, after almost a decade of celebration, the city was hit by a wave of shock and grief when it became ground zero of the AIDS epidemic, with hundreds of gay men falling victim to the disease. Director David Weissman explores the incredible story of love and loss through the eyes of five men and women who experienced it firsthand.
Director
David Weissman, Bill Weber
Producer
David Weissman
Distributor
Red Flag Releasing
Production Co
Weissman Projects
Genre
Documentary, Biography, History, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 9, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 23, 2017
Runtime
1h 30m
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