Wer wir waren

A cinematic essay - inspired by the book "who we were" by Roger Willemsen With Alexander Gerst (astronaut), Sylvia Earle (deep sea researcher), Mathieu Ricard (buddhist monk), Dennis Snower (economist), Felwine Sarr (philosopher) und Janina Loh (critical post- humanist). 

We may think that we're simply not capable of understanding the increasingly complex problems of our planet, but for these charismatic scientists, that's not enough. Whether it's on the top of the world, in the depths of the ocean, inside the human brain, at the G-20 summit, or in the heart of the International Space Station ISS, they are searching for practical ways to save our world. Considering their drive, we have to ask ourselves if, we as citizens of the planet, are finally ready to take on responsibility - if only for the sake of those who will come after us and ask: "WHO WE WERE"?

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“We were the ones who knew, but did not understand, full of information but lacking insight, brimming with knowledge, but lacking experience. So we just kept forging ahead, unstopped by ourselves.” (Roger Willemsen)

 

What will future generations think of us in a historical context? In the spirit of Willemsen's legacy, will they look back on us with despair? The film WHO WE WERE observes the current state of the world, accompanied by six intellectuals and scientists who reflect on the present and postulate about the future. 

 

Producer, director and writer Marc Bauder follows his charismatic protagonists into the depths of the ocean, to the top of the world, and out into the far reaches of space. Together, they explore the incredible capabilities of the human brain, a global economic summit, the legacy of colonisation, and the feelings of a robot. 

 

This inspiring look at our world offers a hopeful message for us all: Who we are is in our own hands, if we recognise our connectedness, our commonality, and the meaning of 'we'. 

 

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