Review of We Were Here (2011) by Warwick B — 28 Nov 2011

A heartfelt look at the tragedy of the "gay cancer" that in early/mid 1980s San Francisco killed thousands before education, prevention and activism helped slow down the devastation on the city's gay community.

Director David Weissman interviews five people whose lives were affected by the AIDS epidemic. Although there's plenty of contextual archival material, the film's real power is these "talking heads" - the look in their eyes and stalling voices as they talk about their experiences and those they loved and lost. The rest is important but these close ups are the heart of this somber and moving documentary. A must see slice of social history.