WE HEARD THE BELLS - THE INFLUENZA OF 1918

Cinemavixion Review

In 'We Heard the Bells: The Influenza of 1918,' filmmaker Lisa Laden crafts a compelling documentary that revisits one of history's most devastating pandemics. The film masterfully weaves together the personal testimonies of individuals from marginalized communities, offering a poignant and often harrowing glimpse into how inequality shaped survival rates during the 1918 flu. Laden's narrative takes viewers on an extraordinary scientific expedition, tracing the quest for answers from a 1951 Alaskan permafrost recovery mission to contemporary laboratories. Through the lens of epidemiologists and researchers, the documentary probes critical questions about the virus's origins, its disproportionate impact on young adults, and the chilling possibility of its recurrence. With S. Epatha Merkerson lending her voice, the film connects the lessons of the past to the urgent realities of our global future, resonating with particular significance in the wake of modern pandemics. While the film itself may not have garnered specific awards, its subject matter and insightful approach make it a vital historical document and a timely reminder of our preparedness.