‘Water Lilies’ and the Journey of Identity
A gentle coming of age story, Water Lilies takes its time in exploring what it’s like to be a young girl trying to make sense of her sexuality in a heteronormative world.

During WWI to prove his mettle against a charge of cowardice to everyone including his girl Mimi, American pilot Lieutenant Billy Holmes accepts an assignment with the Royal Flying Corps. He downs a German aircraft piloted by the brother of squadron leader Lebrun. Out of bitterness Lebrun challenges him to a dogfight from which Billy emerges victorious restoring his lustre and reputation.
A gentle coming of age story, Water Lilies takes its time in exploring what it’s like to be a young girl trying to make sense of her sexuality in a heteronormative world.
The film is a documentary focusing on heavy metal in the late 80s and tackles topics like drug addiction, alcoholism, sex, masculinity, and of course, rock and roll. However, this didn’t feel like any documentary I’ve ever seen before.
Our protagonists perform as the opposite gender while still preserving the parts of their personalities that makes themselves who they are.
'Tuca and Bertie' (2019) is an animated series centering around best friends of the same name as they traverse the challenges of their thirties.
I can say without question, that this is the first movie I’ve ever seen where art imitates life so much that I could 100% identify with it on a personal level. The predominately Black cast of characters are people with hopes, dreams, fears, and ambitions.
Elio could be seen as fantastic piece of representation, showing lonely children who feel ostracized that they are not alone. That is, unless you look behind the curtain.