The portraits from the set of IT COULD HAVE BEEN US offer a glimpse into the making of the film, a journey back to a dark chapter in Swedish history. In the early 20th century, thousands of people with intellectual disabilities were separated from their families and placed in institutions, cut off from the rest of society. Who were these individuals? And what happened to them? My deepest thanks to the film crew for welcoming me behind the scenes of the set. I believe, as you do, that a single, powerful portrait has the ability to touch hearts and make a difference. IT COULD HAVE BEEN US carries an incredibly important message, one that must never be forgotten. That’s why it’s essential to keep the collective memory alive. The more of us who remember and pass this on to future generations, the greater the chance it will never happen again.