We Rise

Great story about a subject I didn't know much about. Touching, sweet, inspiring.

Wow - great doc. Way different than others. Impressive.

Of course I'm bias, but I am incredibly proud of this film--of these fearless young stars, who were so generous in sharing lives and their stories; of the tireless work and relentless honesty Michael Afendakis brought to its creation. I've lost count of how many times I've seen "We Rise," from footage through cuts, to private screenings and festivals, and it still gets me. Every time. Strong recommend.

Fun. Enjoyed it. Moving too.

Great documentary - Did Mock Trial in High School and it brought back a lot of memories about that time and the people you meet and the bonds you build. Nice story.

Great Documentary!!! Loved it.

This was very enjoyable to watch. The kids are just fantastic, nice story. Well done.

Terrific doc. Heartwarming, funny and moving. Teammates are fantastic.

Loved it.

Sammi, Sofia, Jessica, Lucas, Celia and Angela - what a great team and story. Congratulations.

Great storytelling and throughline from the heart of a mock trial competition to how that can manifest benefits to our society overall. The team stories were moving and the students were fabulous.

Brilliant.

Nice work. Enjoyed the story, really loved Sammi and Jessica.

Nice work.

The way the stories are told about these kids doing mock trials brings you right into their lives. You find yourself cheering for the Willow Glen team from the start. Totally worth watching, highly recommend!

Amazing. I had no idea of the effort it took to be involved in Mock Trial and how much it can shape these young lives. Excellent.

Very moving. I really felt connected to these young people. Their stories were compelling and it was easy to root for their success. Wonderful storytelling. Bravo!

Mock Trialers Unite. Well done, kids in the documentary were great, nice story line. Enjoyed it.

The movie does a great job paralleling the lives of the kids and their personal difficulties/struggles. I liked how it cut from trial to their personal lives and shows how mock trial is connected to how they live their lives. Well done.

Loved the competition, how the team comes together and the personal stories and dreams of the students.

This film is very moving, it leaves me with admiration and hope for the next generation full of bright, passionate, thoughtful and compassionate humans, and also for the volunteers and programs educating them in how to effectively fight for justice and change

Incredibly inspiring story that shows the power of peer support and perseverance.

Inspiring!!

Great storytelling while also highlighting a fantastic program and an impressive group of young adults.

Loved this film. It was inspiring and moving. It took us into the world of these students and showed us their incredible bonds with each other and their drive to excel at an intellectual pursuit, while navigating all the complexities of their personal lives and high school. Hats off to their incredibly dedicated coach.

We Rise is an incredibly moving documentary — a compelling and heartwarming film about resilience, teamwork, and the pursuit of justice. Highly recommended for all fans of character-driven stories.

So glad I took the time to watch 'WE RISE'! A multi-level story with impactful turns I wasn't expecting. 10/10 would recommend!

Brings the viewer back to their own high school days along with all the insecurities and occasional triumphs. It made me wish I had a group like that to both boost confidence and become educated in a subject I'm passionate about. I really felt for the kids that were highlighted during the film and wish them all the best in the future. I strongly recommend you invest the time and watch this. It will stick with me for a long, long time.

For a story that surrounds Mock Trial, I didn't expect to be pulled in so emotionally, but I was. Jessica and Sofia's story and connection was my favorite part of the film. I just thought it was so well done.

Highly recommend watching this documentary. Such a beautiful story about the power that mock trial has in helping our youth find their purpose. 10/10!

This was such a beautiful story, remarkably done!!!

Atta Squirrel Films' documentary, "We Rise," transcends the courtroom drama of a high school mock trial team. It delves deeper, weaving a tapestry of personal growth, resilience, and the transformative power of advocacy. The film seamlessly blends the tension and tactics of the mock trial competition with the emotional journeys of the young participants. We witness the thrill of courtroom battles - the sharp cross-examinations, the compelling witness testimonies, and the impassioned closing arguments. We see the meticulous strategizing behind each move, the dedication to airtight arguments, and the raw emotions poured into their closing pleas. However, "We Rise" refuses to remain confined within the walls of the mock courtroom. It delves beyond the legal drama to showcase the personal struggles that have shaped these young adults. Family issues, social anxieties, past experiences - these challenges are woven into the fabric of their narratives.

Great movie! Impressive young people.

Poignant, inspiring, real, and heartfelt. Excellent!