I Was Here (2012)

I Was Here (2012) poster

These images were captured during a long afternoon spent sitting in front of the Pantheon in Rome, paced by the sound of a shutter regularly opening and closing for long exposures whose duration was counted off in a whisper. At precise intervals, the photosensitive surface recorded the constant flow of tourists, people-watchers, cars and animals as they moved, stopped, gathered, and took photos. The historic building thus reveals itself as a magnet whose pull on people has lasted for centuries. "I Was Here" is a reference to the common phrase often found scratched on public walls, marks left as visible proof of a person’s visit to a place. Like that age-old practice, travel photography is an attempt to record a person’s presence in a particular place – a photographed place taken home as proof.

Director: Philippe Léonard
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 6 min
Release Date:
Country: Canada
Language: No Language
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Philippe Léonard
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is I Was Here about?
These images were captured during a long afternoon spent sitting in front of the Pantheon in Rome, paced by the sound of a shutter regularly opening and closing for long exposures whose duration was counted off in a whisper. At precise intervals, the photosensitive surface recorded the constant flow of tourists, people-watchers, cars and animals as they moved, stopped, gathered, and took photos. The historic building thus reveals itself as a magnet whose pull on people has lasted for centuries. "I Was Here" is a reference to the common phrase often found scratched on public walls, marks left as visible proof of a person’s visit to a place. Like that age-old practice, travel photography is an attempt to record a person’s presence in a particular place – a photographed place taken home as proof.
Who directed I Was Here?
I Was Here was directed by Philippe Léonard.
How long is I Was Here?
I Was Here has a runtime of 6m (6 minutes).
What genre is I Was Here?
I Was Here is a Documentary film.
Where was I Was Here produced?
I Was Here was produced in Canada.