Ep 23. We Were Here

We Were Here is Season 13, Episode 23 of the acclaimed documentary series Independent Lens. The episode follows the lives of five individuals who lived through the HIV/AIDS epidemic in San Francisco during the 1980s and 1990s. Through their personal stories, the documentary examines the devastating impact the disease had on the city's gay community, and the deep sense of loss and grief that permeated their lives.

The first-person accounts of each individual are interspersed with archival footage and photographs that help to contextualize the epidemic, as well as interviews with public health officials, AIDS activists, and friends and family members of the people featured in the film. Although the stories of each individual are unique, certain themes emerge that are common to all of them, such as the stigma and fear surrounding the disease, the lack of understanding and support from the government and medical establishment, and the sense of community and resilience that grew out of the crisis.

We Were Here is a powerful reminder of the human toll of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and a tribute to the individuals who lived through it. The film deals with difficult subject matter, but it does so with compassion and empathy, giving voice to those whose lives were forever changed by the disease. The result is a moving, thought-provoking documentary that offers a glimpse into a time and a place that is both tragic and inspiring, and that speaks to the shared experiences of people everywhere who have been touched by illness and loss.