I Am Here

I Am Here stands as a testament to the enduring qualities of the human spirit.

As inspiring as his chosen subject is, the director missed an opportunity to use the story to deepen our understanding of our own memories, trauma and forgiveness.

I Am Here is, at its core, something much less complicated: a bearing of witness to horror. It’s inspirational, yes, but sadly far from unique. In its oft-heard contours, then, lies both its power and its tragic familiarity.

Blumenthal’s stirring story would be an invaluable addition to any anthology of various survivors’ experiences. But when the ethos of keeping these stories alive is “Never Again,” and “Never again” was happening again right in front of Ella Blumenthal and her entire family for decades upon decades, it isn’t “off message” for your movie to make some effort to address it. Ignoring that is disingenuous at best, and tone deaf at the very least.