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We Were Here

Play trailer Poster for We Were Here 2011 1h 30m Documentary Biography History Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 45 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

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 05/10/2016
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. Go to Full Review London Evening Standard 11/25/2011
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Andrew Pulver Guardian 11/25/2011
3/5
Even if, understandably, it's a little inward-looking (the ongoing disaster in Africa gets barely a mention), as a slice of social history, We Were Here takes an invigoratingly positive position on a very gloomy time. Go to Full Review Steve Cruz OUT FRONT Magazine (Denver) 05/09/2023
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. Go to Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 06/10/2020
The best film effort to date that can unite the generations until there's a cure Go to Full Review Ellin Stein The Arts Desk 05/27/2020
This powerful, affecting film should help ensure that by remembering the past we will not be condemned to repeat it. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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12/21/2018 Gread documentary movie! have watched for free all her movies using boxxy software. See more Tim G @tmgreene22 12/28/2017 Beautiful, both so incredibly sad and inspiring. See more 01/24/2017 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. See more 02/24/2015 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. See more 02/17/2015 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 See more 02/07/2015 Moral of the story? Politicians never get things right. Ever! See more Read all reviews
We Were Here

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Cast & Crew

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David Weissman

Director

Bill Weber

Director

Paul Boneberg

Actor

Ed Wolf

Actor

Daniel Goldstein

Actor

Guy Clark

Actor

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We Were Here

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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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