Watch We Are Wizards

We Are Wizards is a documentary film that explores the worldwide phenomenon of the Harry Potter fan culture. It was released in 2008 and was directed by Josh Koury. The film introduces the viewers to the various subcultures within the Harry Potter fandom and the passion and creativity that they bring to the community. The movie starts with a glimpse of the hysteria that surrounded the release of the seventh and final book of the Harry Potter series. The filmmakers interview various fans who had been waiting for hours to get their hands on the book, and in the excitement of the moment, they compare the event to a rock concert. This sets the tone for the rest of the movie, which is an exploration of the fan culture that has emerged around the Harry Potter phenomenon.

The documentary interviews various subcultures within the Harry Potter fandom, such as Wizard rock bands, fan fiction writers, and podcasters. The film shows how these different groups have created their own communities within the larger fan culture and how they have developed their own unique ways to celebrate and express their love for the Harry Potter universe.

One of the main subjects of the documentary is the Wizard rock movement. The film introduces us to brothers Paul and Joe DeGeorge, who are the founders of the Wizard rock band Harry and the Potters. The band has become famous within the Harry Potter fandom for their catchy songs, which are inspired by the books and the characters within them. We Are Wizards shows us how their music has resonated with the younger generation of Harry Potter fans and how they have become an important part of the fan culture.

The movie also introduces us to Melissa Anelli, who is the editor of popular Harry Potter fan site, The Leaky Cauldron. Anelli is a crucial figure within the fan community, and the documentary highlights her work in bringing the Harry Potter fandom together through her website. We see how her work has led to events like Harry Potter conventions, which have become annual gatherings for fans all over the world.

The filmmakers also delve into the world of Harry Potter fan fiction, which is a massive subculture within the fan community. The movie features interviews with fan fiction writers, and we get a glimpse of the creativity that goes into writing stories that are inspired by the Harry Potter books. We see how these stories have become a way for fans to continue the story beyond the books and how they have created their own alternate universe within the fandom.

One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is the attention given to the legal battles that have emerged within the fan culture. The film shows how Warner Bros, the company that owns the rights to the Harry Potter franchise, has sued various fan sites and groups for copyright infringement. The movie explores the tension between the fan culture and the corporate interests that surround the franchise, and it raises important questions about the ownership of fan culture and the use of copyright law to stifle creativity.

Overall, We Are Wizards is a fascinating portrait of the Harry Potter fan culture. The film takes us deep into the different subcultures within the fan community and shows us the passion and creativity that has made the Harry Potter universe so beloved to so many people. It is a celebration of fandom and a reminder of the power of imagination in bringing people together.

We Are Wizards is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 59.