There are films that dazzle you with plot twists and visual spectacle, and then there are films like Being You; quiet, deeply personal, and resounding with emotional honesty. Directed by South African filmmaker Minenhle Luthuli, Being You takes a high-concept idea; time travel, and anchors it in a soulful, character-driven story about memory, regret, and the quiet reckoning with one’s younger self.
The story opens with a reserved screenwriter at the center of a press interview, answering the standard industry questions until one inquiry cuts deeper than expected. The moment triggers a panic attack that forces her to faint, but when she regains consciousness, she’s no longer in the present. She’s face to face with her younger self; outspoken, unguarded, and about to make a life-altering decision.
What unfolds may seem like a sci-fi drama about time travel, but it is not. It is a delicate confrontation between past and present selves; a woman trying to guide her younger version without losing the very things that shaped her into who she is.
At the emotional core of the film is the striking line:“You’re failing to recognize the blessing in all of this because you are living in regret.” This single line delivered by the younger version of the protagonist perfectly encapsulates the paradox of adulthood. Adults often spend so much time punishing themselves for the past that they overlook the strength those very moments gave us. Luthuli, through gentle pacing and intimate performances, urges us to rethink what it means to grow up, not in age, but in acceptance of the past and in forgiveness of the mistakes, whether they be our fault or not.
Stylistically, the film feels measured. There’s a softness in the cinematography, almost dreamlike, as though we are watching memories float back into consciousness. Luthuli, who is already known for her debut short Heart Attack and as a 2022 NEFTi Competition winner, demonstrates a growing voice that is not afraid to pair vulnerability with a touch of magic realism.
It is easy for one to be irritated by the lackadaisical attitude of the younger protagonist and blame the character for the faults, but is there really anyone to blame in the grand scheme of things? In her director’s notes, Luthuli shares how often she imagines being asked what she would say to her 16-year-old self. Being You is, in many ways, her visual answer to that question. It’s an offering of self-compassion, acknowledging that while our past selves may have been naive, they were also brave, and deserve kindness too.
The film’s power lies in its restraint and emotional resonance. It doesn’t try to fix the past, but to reframe it—to let go of shame and embrace a fuller understanding of one’s journey. In a festival lineup filled with dynamic political and cultural stories, Being You stands out as a gentle whisper: be kinder to who you once were !
Being you is part of the official selection at the 46th Durban International Film Festival, screening from 17–27 July 2025, with additional outreach screenings in Cape Town and Johannesburg to follow. For details on screening times and venues, visit ccadiff.ukzn.ac.za.
Catch the film at DIFF: https://ccadiff.ukzn.ac.za/diff46/being-you/
Screening Schedule:
20 Jul 14:00 Suncoast 6
27 Jul 14:15 Watercrest 1
2 Aug 14:30 The Labia
2 Aug 14:30 The Bioscope
This review emanates from the Talent Press programme, an initiative of Talents Durban in collaboration with the Durban FilmMart Institute and FIPRESCI. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author (Alice Johnson) and cannot be considered as constituting an official position of the organisers.
