I Am Another You (2017)
A Chinese filmmaker follows a young American drifter through Florida, questioning what freedom truly costs.
I Am Another You - Movie Information
- Original Title: I Am Another You
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Nanfu Wang
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 1h 20m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: Little Horse Crossing the River, Hard Working Movies
- Production Countries: United States of America
I Am Another You - Plot
Through the eyes of a young drifter who rejects society's rules and intentionally chooses to live on the streets, Chinese filmmaker Nanfu Wang explores the meaning of personal freedom – and its limits.
I Am Another You - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world through a drifter's eyes:
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I Am Another You - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nanfu Wang
Producers
- Lori Cheatle
- Nanfu Wang
I Am Another You - FAQs
What is I Am Another You about?
I Am Another You follows Chinese filmmaker Nanfu Wang as she embeds herself in the life of Dylan Olsen, a young American who has deliberately chosen to live on the streets. The film probes what personal freedom truly means—and the painful costs it can carry for those left behind.
Why did Dylan choose to live on the streets?
Dylan Olsen rejects conventional society by choice, not circumstance. He sees homelessness as a form of radical personal freedom—a refusal to conform to social expectations. As the film unfolds, however, Wang discovers that mental illness and family trauma complicate the idealistic picture Dylan initially presents.
Where can I stream I Am Another You?
You can watch I Am Another You for free on Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Fandango at Home Free. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Is I Am Another You based on a true story?
Yes, the film is entirely documentary—no dramatization involved. Director Nanfu Wang genuinely lived alongside Dylan Olsen, a real drifter she met in Florida, filming their experiences together. The story is as authentic as it gets, shaped by real encounters, real conversations, and real consequences.
Who directed I Am Another You?
Nanfu Wang directed the film, also serving as cinematographer and co-editor. A Chinese-born filmmaker based in the United States, Wang is known for her immersive, personal documentary style. She later gained wider recognition with One Child Nation (2019), which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize.
How was I Am Another You received by critics?
Critics praised the film warmly, highlighting Wang's intimate camera work and the moral complexity she brings to her subject. Reviewers noted how the documentary resists easy conclusions, letting the tension between freedom and responsibility speak for itself. It earned strong notices on the documentary festival circuit.
How long is I Am Another You?
I Am Another You runs 80 minutes—lean and focused. The compact runtime keeps the film tight and emotionally immediate, never overstaying its welcome. It's the kind of documentary you can watch in a single sitting and still find yourself thinking about long afterward.
What are similar documentaries to I Am Another You?
If I Am Another You resonated with you, consider God Grew Tired of Us (2006), Gilbert (2017), or Harmontown (2014)—all documentaries that explore outsider lives with empathy and depth. Seattle is Dying (2019) also tackles homelessness from a different angle and makes for a thought-provoking companion piece.
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