Justin R. Thompson

In the halls of the Uffizi Gallery, the great Venetian Palaces, or among the naves of the most important churches in Rome, Renaissance artworks conceal countless faces, hidden in plain sight: those of African and afro-descendant characters. Who were they? Where did they come from? Why were they portrayed, and why did they remain unobserved until these days?

"We Were Here" unveils the untold history of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe through iconic artworks. This multilingual film, shot across Europe, challenges the notion that all Blacks were slaves or servants. It reveals a diverse presence, including princes, ambassadors, merchants, and religious figures. Narrated from an Afro-European perspective, it explores stories absent from traditional history books. The film interweaves art history with social narratives, offering a fresh lens on European Renaissance and the complex tapestry of Black presence often overlooked in conventional historical accounts.