Filmed just eleven days after the events of September 11, The Making and Meaning of WE ARE FAMILY captures the gathering of more than 200 music, film, television and sports personalities along with police officers, emergency room doctors and those most affected by the tragedy, as they assembled to re-record the classic hit song "We Are Family" as a musical call for tolerance and global understanding. Fresh from its rousing debut at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, WE ARE FAMILY will begin an exclusive engagement at The Screening Room (54 Varick Street) in New York City on Friday, March 8th. The Screening Room was selected because it the only theater near Ground Zero that is currently open.

Legendary music producer/songwriter Nile Rodgers, who co-wrote the Sister Sledge classic hit with his late partner Bernard Edwards, created and directed the project and is featured in the film. Still sung worldwide, "We Are Family" is a joyous anthem, an affirmation of values and spirit. The new "all-star" version, recorded on September 22 & 23, 2001, was crafted to lift spirits and act as a catalyst toward the healing process. The film WE ARE FAMILY, directed by Globalvision's Emmy Award-winning Danny Schechter (with Patrice O'Neill), documents recording sessions in both New York and Los Angeles against a background of the traumatic events of September 11 and their aftermath. Spike Lee directed the music video of the 2001 version, which is showcased in the film. More than a music film, WE ARE FAMILY explores the shock and personal pain of the participants as well as the eruption of hate crimes following the tragedy. In addition to footage of the recording sessions and one-on-one interviews with participants, the film explores the need for tolerance and community spirit via commentary during the sessions and also with New Yorkers at vigils around the city.

WE ARE FAMILY was hailed at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, where it played to capacity audiences and evoked standing ovations as part of a special program of films exploring the events of September 11. Danny Schechter, a veteran ABC "20/20" producer, has won many awards for his films, including the International Documentary Award for the making of Sun City: Artists Against Apartheid. He is a Founder of Globalvision, Inc. Tommy Boy Films presents The Making and Meaning of WE ARE FAMILY, a Globalvision production of a Danny Schechter film. Proceeds from the film will go to the We Are Family Project, benefiting those affected by the events of September 11. For more information, check out www.WeAreFamilyFoundation.org