We Were Here

2011, Documentary/Biography, 1h 30m

46 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

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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. Read critic reviews

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We Were Here Photos

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Movie Info

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.
  • Genre:
    Documentary, Biography, History, Drama, Lgbtq+
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    David Weissman, Bill Weber
  • Producer:
    David Weissman
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Red Flag Releasing

Cast & Crew

Paul Boneberg
Ed Wolf
Daniel Goldstein
Guy Clark
David Weissman
Director
Bill Weber
Director
David Weissman
Producer
Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for We Were Here

Critics Consensus: Contagion and Warrior are Certified Fresh
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Critic Reviews for We Were Here

All Critics (46) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (46)
Full Review… Monica Castillo Bitch Media Full Review… Melissa Anderson L.A. Weekly Full Review… Andrew Pulver Guardian Full Review… Paul Weedon Little White Lies Full Review… Dave Calhoun Time Out Full Review… Eve Barlow Empire Magazine Full Review… David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Full Review… Ellin Stein The Arts Desk Full Review… Joseph Walsh CineVue Full Review… Jean Lowerison San Diego Gay & Lesbian News Full Review… Matt Brunson Creative Loafing Full Review… James Wegg JWR
View All Critic Reviews (46)

Audience Reviews for We Were Here

  • Nov 27, 2013
    An important and engaging documentary about the unimaginable horrors of the early years of AIDS. Although I had head some of this before from older friends, it provided a much better, more complete account of a harrowing time. It is easy to forget the pain and fears of others, or just to know them in a detached academic way. We should never forget that an entire community dying was reality for some people.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
  • May 14, 2013
    "We Were Here" is a simple, yet powerfully effective documentary history of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco that creates a clear timeline of events, running from first rumors through effective treatment. This is told by a handful of survivors and eyewitnesses in their own words, recalling lost friends and loved ones, thus bringing such momentous events down to a deeply personal level. And the archival footage and photographs work well in tandem with this. Of particular interest is the valuable work of the lesbian community during the epidemic, previously a lesser partner in the larger gay community, rising to the occasion in more ways than one.(Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this was only glanced over in "And the Band Played On" by Randy Shilts.)
    Walter M Super Reviewer
  • Mar 30, 2011
    Devastating documentary chronicles the AIDS epidemic in the gay community from its beginnings in San Francisco. Plays out almost like a war doc, using personal stories to create a look at the front lines of the battle against AIDS with great reverence and dignity.
    Matthew L Super Reviewer
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