Everything You Need to Know About ‘We Are Who We Are’

We Are Who We Are is a limited drama series directed by Luca Guadagnino, best known for his work in Call Me by Your Name. The premise of the show centers on fourteen-year-olds Fraser and Caitlin, who are living with their families on a U.S. military base in Italy. In its first episodes, the show has offered an intimate glimpse into the lives and characters of Fraser and Caitlin.

 Fraser immediately reveals himself as eccentric, impulsive, and careless. He openly resents his mother’s decision to uproot their lives in New York City in favor of becoming a colonel in Italy. Fraser explicitly represents so many qualities we immediately associate with our early teenage years. For instance, he sees the constant need to demonstrate his individuality, which is revealed through his stark fashion choices, yet still finds himself heavily influenced by the thoughts and opinions of others.

 Caitlin slowly reveals herself as assured, driven, yet distant. In contrast to Fraser, Caitlin simply abides with her family and friends’ expectations, hiding every part of herself that doesn’t align with those expectations. It seems as though Caitlin deeply cares about the people in her life, and doesn’t want to displease them - even if that means sacrificing who she is. In her own way, Caitlin embodies the universal nature of youth – the constant search for liberation and the desire for something meaningful.

 One of the show’s qualities which immediately stood out to me is the focus on those subtle moments that shape our relationships with others – the interactions which aren’t picturesque but are fundamental to intimacy. For instance, when Fraser casually walks by the wide-open bathroom door as his mother and stepmother undress and prepare to bathe. Or, when Caitlin and her father are sitting on the bleachers eating hot dogs as a political ad for President Trump plays in the background. Whilst not particularly stunning or revolutionary, these scenes are rooted in sheer authenticity, which is part of what makes We Are Who We Are resonate so much with its audience.

 Furthermore, as the show centers on identity, one might expect for political and social commentary to dominate the storyline, but that is not yet the case. Although there are undertones of patriotism, conformity, and prejudice, We Are Who We Are makes a valiant effort to humanize all of the political and social issues which come into play, centering on the implications of these issues on an individual, rather than systematic level. For instance, when Caitlin’s mother greets Fraser and his parents at the airport, her reaction to the fact that Fraser has two mothers is subtle, but unmissable. Guadagnino is able to showcase how important issues manifest in everyday life, and he does this so brilliantly that the audience might not notice the show’s subliminal messages without truly thinking about them – it’s unexpectedly powerful.

 In terms of its artistry, We Are Who We Are embodies similar stylistic qualities to Luca Guadagnino’s other work, (specifically Call Me by Your Name), in its elegant realism. We Are Who We Are is a compilation of instants; we are shown a series of moments in the characters’ lives in real time as Guadagnino delves into the multilayered nature of each of those moments. For example, we see the same scene from the contrasting perspectives of Caitlin, Frasier, and often another character as well. In a way similar to Call Me by Your Name, the show focuses on connections. Guadagnino’s work preaches that our relationships to other people don’t define us, but our love for other people has the potential to change us. More than anything else, Guadagnino finds importance in the humanness of his characters and his stories, because it’s through their likeness to ourselves that we are able to understand the significance of his message in our world.

 We Are Who We Are, fitting to the name, allows its characters to be human beings. It shows us these characters as everything they are – all the good and all the bad, no better and no worse. I think that in itself is praiseworthy: how often do we see truly genuine stories on screen? I cannot wait to savor more of this show’s charming authenticity and its romanticization of the insignificant.