Luca Guadagnino’s HBO MAX television show, We Are Who We Are, is not only a jack of all trades, but a master at them all. First airing in 2020, the show follows the lives of a diverse group of characters, set on an American military base in Chioggia, Italy circa 2016. There is not one set main character of the series as it gives each prominent character their own focus throughout the show, which highlights each theme being presented. The show deals with themes of adolescence, politics, relationships, gender identity, sexuality, death, and many more polarizing concepts. Each theme is tastefully dealt with or represented throughout the 8 episodes. The standout theme that this show is known for is the intersection of love and identity portrayed through the storylines of 14-year-olds, Fraser and Caitlin. They begin as strangers and metamorphosize through a close platonic relationship, while Fraser helps Caitlin (Harper) figure out their identity. They remain close friends for most of the show until the very last episode where the relationship becomes romantic.
Luca Guadagnino is a renowned filmmaker and director, best known for his films Call Me by Your Name and Bones and All. His striking cinematography and motifs are easily recognizable with obvious similarities in the way he produces all of his work. His trademark characteristics appear in We Are Who We Are mainly in the more intimate scenes. A great example of this is the scene in which Fraser and Caitlin agree to never let their relationship become romantic. This scene intentionally mirrors a scene from Call Me by Your Name, as both shows feature their two prominent characters shaking hands, and it is shot in the same way both times. Another amazing motif he utilizes in We Are Who We Are is freeze frames. Guadagnino builds the emotion and the plot to a climax and freezes the motion of a scene as the music and sound continues in an ephemeral way. The show has many beautifully shot, paced, and edited moments.
The show not only delivers in the cinematography and storylines, but it really delivers in its use of music. With songs from artists like Prince, David Bowie, and Blood Orange, the music used is a perfect match for the vibe of the main plotline. Blood Orange, real name Devonte Hynes, also produced the entire series score which magically frames the show. Dev Hynes, a queer black artist, is also featured later in the series as Fraser and Caitlin (Harper) attend his concert. In my opinion, one of the most significant songs used in the show is “Nikes” by Frank Ocean during a very intimate and liberated party scene with all of the teen characters. It really encapsulates the emotion and maybe even the lack-thereof for some of the characters. Without a doubt, the most significant song used in the show is “Time Will Tell” by Blood Orange. This song is genuinely synonymous with the show itself, the meaning, the emotion, and everything in between.
We Are Who We Are is a very culturally significant piece of media from the year 2020, when it aired. It is an amazing representation of what it was to be a kid navigating everything that life comes with, whether it be parental relationships, first love, or coping with death. With prominent actors like Kid Cudi, Chloe Sevigny, and Jack Dylan Grazer, the tv show made a huge splash in pop culture, especially in more indie, queer, and open spaces. Although the timeless show is still very relevant in today’s political climate, unfortunately it is not well known anymore. In my personal opinion, this show is so phenomenal, and I will never forget about it. It essentially shaped who I am today, as I assume it did for many other Gen Z kids who watched it when it aired. All in all, We Are Who We Are is a wonderful, realistic masterpiece that holds so much emotion. There is so much that I could not touch on or else this would be a full academic paper. I recommend this show to everyone, and I hope you enjoyed my first article. :)