Bittersweet Tale of Love and Deception

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Renowned Argentinian filmmaker Alejandro Agresti, known for “The Lake House”, graces the silver screen once more with “Lo Que Quisimos Ser” (“What We Wanted to Be”). This heartfelt tale follows the journey of two individuals who form a special bond, yearning for something deeper all the while.

The movie, titled “Untitled Film,” debuted off-competition at the Malaga Film Festival. It is a period piece set in 1998. The story unfolds as two individuals, played by Luis Rubio and Eleonora Wexler, cross paths for the first time outside a cinema in Buenos Aires. They were the lone spectators of Howard Hawks’ 1940 film “His Girl Friday,” starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, at that particular screening.

They choose to grab a drink together, and upon her suggestion, they invent new personas for themselves, transforming into characters they’ve long aspired to be: she becomes Irene, a passionate novelist of love stories; he turns into Yuri, an intrepid astronaut raised in Africa. Finding common ground, they arrange to meet every Thursday at the same spot and continue living out their fantasies. As they do so, they grow increasingly close while also navigating the realities of life.

As a film aficionado, I had an enlightening conversation with EbMaster where I shared the genesis of my film. It stemmed from observing and contemplating a novel method of connecting through social media – a platform where one can mold their own persona and history at will, pretending to be something we’re not, and altering it into what we aspire or believe ourselves to be.

Agresti deliberately placed the film in the year 1998 as a means to separate it from the overwhelming presence of social media today. He wanted the narrative’s interaction between two individuals to occur without the influence of digital platforms.

The movie, with its homage to timeless Hollywood masterpieces, delves into the examination of genuine versus false social interactions and behavior in our everyday lives.

In the movie, Irene ponders that to some degree, each one of us plays a role in the social world we inhabit, much like actors hidden behind the stage curtains. This game has its playful aspects, yet it can sometimes lead to harm, causing us to lose touch with our true selves and even manipulate others, making them reflect our own desires excessively.

In his own words, Agresti mentions that the tale delves into topics such as accepting life decisions, dealing with regrets, and understanding mortality. However, he clarifies that he merely delved into these elements to the extent the story permitted, avoiding unnecessary tricks or excessive storytelling devices; instead, preserving the story’s simplicity and human touch for these two characters.

In embodying those characters, Wexler and Rubio possessed the ideal qualities, Agresti notes.

Eleonora has a unique talent for adapting her facial expressions among many actresses I’ve collaborated with. She can effortlessly mold her face into various terrains, often without the aid of complex techniques. What makes her stand out is her sincerity, authenticity, and delicate touch in every movement she makes.

For Luis Rubio, I crafted the script with him specifically in mind, despite not having met him personally. I had witnessed him in various roles that were quite distinct from this one. He’s primarily known for his comedy, but beyond that, I perceived a sensitive and appealing individual who could excel in any role.

“They are two formidable actors of substance.”

Gastón Duprat, Fernando Sokolowicz, and Analía Perez’s work titled ‘What We Wanted to Be’ is distributed globally by Latido Films, a company based in Madrid.

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2025-03-19 20:19