Agresti's film explores social pretense and identity

Argentine director Alejandro Agresti has released a new film called “What We Wanted to Be,” also known as “Lo Que Quisimos Ser.” The film tells a heartfelt story about two people who meet in Buenos Aires in 1998. They attend a movie together and decide to create new identities for themselves as a way to escape reality. The two main characters, played by Luis Rubio and Eleonora Wexler, become close through their weekly meetings. Together, they pretend to be the people they always dreamed of being. She becomes Irene, a romantic novelist, while he becomes Yuri, an adventurous astronaut. Their shared fantasies allow them to connect more deeply, but reality begins to intrude on their lives. Agresti said he drew inspiration from how people present themselves on social media today. He aimed to explore the theme of social pretense while distancing the story from the modern influence of social media. He emphasized the importance of face-to-face interaction and genuine connection. The film highlights the complexities of identity and how people often play roles in their daily lives. Agresti points out that while these games can be innocent, they can also lead to self-deception and misunderstandings. He mentions that the characters deal with life's choices and regrets, but he focuses on their humanity rather than intricate storytelling techniques. The performances by Wexler and Rubio are praised, with Agresti noting Wexler's ability to convey emotion with her expressions. He also crafted Rubio's character with the actor in mind, admiring his range and vulnerability. The film is produced by a team that includes Gastón Duprat and is being sold internationally by Latido Films.