A new documentary film brings the remarkable story of Gander, Newfoundland's hospitality during 9/11 to nearly 800 theaters across the United States for one night only on September 11, 2019.
On September 11, 2001, the world watched in horror as the World Trade Center towers fell. In the chaos that followed, the fate of airline passengers en route to America was literally thrown off course. U.S. airspace closed without warning, forcing dozens of international flights to divert to alternate locations. Thirty-eight of those planes, carrying 6,500 individuals from across the globe, descended upon Gander, Newfoundland, a tiny Canadian town at the easternmost point of North America with a population of barely 9,000 people.
What happened next is one of the most remarkable stories of human compassion in modern history. The residents of Gander and surrounding communities dropped everything to care for thousands of stranded strangers. Schools became shelters. Community centers transformed into dining halls. Locals cooked meals around the clock, opened their homes, offered clean clothes and showers, and provided comfort to terrified passengers who had no idea when they would reach their destinations or whether loved ones were safe. Over the course of several extraordinary days, that small Canadian town came together to host a group of strangers who would leave as family.
The award-winning producer Peter Gentile captured this story in YOU ARE HERE, a documentary film influenced by the same events that inspired the hit Broadway musical Come From Away. The film moves beyond the stage production by featuring real footage and firsthand accounts from the people who lived through it, passengers and townspeople alike, offering an intimate look at what kindness looks like when it matters most.
The film will show in nearly 800 U.S. movie theaters as a one-night event on September 11, 2019, giving audiences across the country an opportunity to experience the story together on a day that remains deeply etched in collective memory.
YOU ARE HERE has been met with widespread critical acclaim. Joel Rubinoff of The Record described it as a powerful experience with standing ovations at every screening. After premiering on HBO Canada, it ranked as the station's top-rated film for 2018.
Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that he had never seen a documentary evoke the sort of emotional reaction and standing ovation that YOU ARE HERE did. John Doyle of The Globe and Mail praised it as a beautiful little film, calling it a grave but often droll and timely reminder that the solace of kindness exists even in the most painful, frightening circumstances.
Susan G. Cole of Now Magazine highlighted the evocation of the real-life hosts' kindness, generosity, and goodwill, describing it as a tear-jerking powerhouse on its own. Pat Mullen of POV Magazine perhaps summed it up best, writing that YOU ARE HERE provides a cathartic reaffirmation of the forgotten art of human decency.
To learn how you can get tickets to see YOU ARE HERE in a theater near you, visit here and pick your preferred theater. You can also register to win two free tickets plus concessions by clicking here. If you wish to nominate a first responder, military personnel member, or veteran to receive tickets, you can do so by clicking here.
Contact Info:
Name: Jacob Self
Email: Send Email
Organization: MDF Production
Address: 36 E Cameron St. Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103, United States
Website: https://www.youareheredoc.com/
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 88909492