Watch We Are the Thousand

We Are the Thousand is a documentary film that chronicles the incredible story of how a group of 1,000 musicians came together to perform the Foo Fighters' hit song "Learn to Fly" in a field in Cesena, Italy. The film captures the passion and dedication of these individuals, who were brought together by the vision of one man, Fabio Zaffagnini.

The story begins with Zaffagnini, an Italian marketing executive and die-hard Foo Fighters fan, contemplating how to get the band to play a concert in his small town. He eventually comes up with a unique idea: convince 1,000 musicians to learn and perform "Learn to Fly" in unison, with the hope that it will catch the attention of the band and the world.

Zaffagnini launches a social media campaign to recruit fellow musicians, and soon he and a team of volunteers are auditioning and selecting the 1,000 participants for the project. From seasoned musicians to amateurs who had never played in public before, the group is a diverse mix of ages, backgrounds, and musical styles.

The film follows the intense rehearsals and preparations leading up to the big day, as the participants work tirelessly to perfect their parts and coordinate their movements. Along the way, we learn more about the individual stories of some of the musicians, including a young woman who learned to play bass specifically for the project, and a father and son who bond over their shared love of music.

When the day of the performance finally arrives, the excitement and anticipation is palpable. The 1,000 musicians gather in a massive field, and after a few words from Zaffagnini and a special message from Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, they launch into "Learn to Fly". The result is a breathtaking display of musical mastery and unity, as the group delivers a flawless rendition of the song.

From there, the film takes us on a journey as the project catches fire online, with millions of views and shares of the video. The Foo Fighters themselves take note, and invite the group to perform the song live at a concert in Italy. The film captures the emotion and excitement of the participants as they are given the chance to share the stage with their idols, and culminates in a rousing performance of "Learn to Fly" that has the entire stadium on its feet.

Throughout the film, the passion and dedication of the participants is palpable. They are united by a love of music and a desire to create something truly epic, and the result is a testament to the power of community and collaboration. The film also dives into some of the logistical challenges and conflicts that arose during the project, adding depth and complexity to the story.

Overall, We Are the Thousand is a heartwarming and inspiring film that showcases the incredible things that can happen when people come together to pursue a common goal. It is a tribute to the power of music and human connection, and a must-see for anyone who has ever been moved by the unifying force of a great tune.

We Are the Thousand is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.