Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
For Movie Lovers

You are Here – Showing October 14

Oct 7, 2019 | 4:24 PM

You Are Here – A Come From Away Story is an intimate feature documentary that is being shown by the Okanagan Screen Arts Society on October 14th at the Vernon Towne Cinema.

This film goes deep into the small community of Gander, Newfoundland where 38 airliners carrying over 6,500 passengers were forced to land when the U.S. airspace was completely shut down in the hours immediately following the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

The film delves into the events surrounding the five days that the community housed, fed and cared for the dislocated passengers (also known as “come from aways” in Newfoundland speech).

These “come from aways” stories were the inspiration for an extraordinary Broadway hit musical with the same name. This documentary, “You Are Here”, reveals first-hand accounts of the great kindnesses and resourcefulness that the community of Gander (with a population of only 9,000) showed their unexpected guests

This is an emotional and sometimes humorous story of compassion and generosity that resonates with a legacy of healing and reconciliation for the world, especially for the survivors of those who died on 9/11, and for the first responders who lost their own lives saving others on that fateful day.

The images of September 11th, 2001 are forever etched into our memories. It was a day of shock and terror for the world and yet on the same day on an island in the middle of the Atlantic about 3,000 kilometres from Manhattan, the citizens of Gander, Newfoundland, brought all that is good and generous with humanity to our attention with their unselfish efforts.

With a long history of rescuing and welcoming shipwrecked sailors, this film celebrates Newfoundland’s generosity and compassion, all that it has inspired and the legacy it created.

“You Are Here” goes beyond the stories that were reported in the news to reveal how an isolated community, with a unique culture and character, connected with the rest of the world by reaching out to people with extraordinary kindness at a time of great need.

During those unforgettable five days there were also some bright moments as bonds were formed including a couple who met, fell in love and married in Gander.

Showtimes at 5:15 & 7:45 p.m. Pre-show intro by Sally Evans, local entertainer. Enjoy live music in the lobby before the early show courtesy of Les Copeland. Cash wine bar open for both shows.

Advance tickets available at the Towne Cinema box office and Expressions of Time bookstore.

View Comments