
Becoming Who I Was
2017

2018
Not RatedDirector
Sanjay Rawal
Runtime
79 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
The film takes us to the highlands of Japan, the Kalahari Desert in Africa, the Navajo Nation in Arizona, the forests of Finland and the streets of NYC (the famed Self -Transcendence 3100 Mile Run) and captures the esoteric, spiritual side of running.
Overall Score
Good
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film focuses on the physical and spiritual endurance of the 3100 Mile Run. There is no explicit evidence regarding the depiction of LGBTQ+ identities or non-heteronormative relationships.
Gender Representation
By centering the narrative on internal, spiritual experiences, the film disrupts traditional masculine-dominated views of athleticism. This provides a platform for diverse participants to demonstrate mental fortitude and agency.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The narrative is explicitly global and non-Anglo-centric. By featuring the Navajo Nation and the Kalahari Desert, the film positions indigenous and non-Western populations as central to the human experience.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The film prioritizes esoteric and spiritual elements over institutionalized religion. This approach promotes universal spirituality and challenges capitalist emphasis on productivity through the transformative act of running.
Disability Representation
While the documentary explores the limits of the human body, there is no specific evidence regarding the inclusion of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
The documentary excels by rejecting a Western-centric gaze, instead utilizing a global landscape that spans Japan, Africa, and the Navajo Nation. This structure grants significant agency to non-Western perspectives and indigenous spiritualities. By framing athleticism through spiritual transcendence rather than mere physical dominance, the film subverts traditional archetypes. It moves away from institutionalized religion and capitalist productivity to focus on individual liberation. However, the film lacks explicit representation regarding LGBTQ+ identities and disability. The narrative remains centered on individualistic spiritualism, which leaves certain social and physical identities unaddressed.

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