We Were Here: The Untold History of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe (2025)

Plot Summary

"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.

Full Cast & Characters

Antumi Toasijé

Self

Kate Lowe

Self

Olivette Otele

Self

Isabelle Castro Henriques

Self

Aspha Bijnaar

Self

Simon Njami

Self

Anne Lafont

Self

Johny Pitts

Self

Vanessa K. Valdés

Self

Stephen Small

Self

Paul Kaplan

Self

Jennifer Tosch

Self

Director & Crew

Official Trailer

Where to Watch We Were Here: The Untold History of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe Online

Frequently Asked Questions