Seatavern

Absence and Substance is a documentary that exposes the hidden layers of homelessness, not as a condition, but as a crisis of disconnection. Set in Cape Town, it follows the deeply personal journey of Alistar Reynolds who once was homeless and has since found healing through a U-turn’s restorative and therapeutic program that redefines what recovery looks like.

Through unfiltered interviews, engaging conversations, and a raw yet hopeful narrative, the film challenges the assumptions society makes about homelessness, revealing not just what has been lost, but what still remains: potential, resilience, and the courage to begin yet again.

Premiering on World Homeless Day, Absence and Substance invites you to witness the transformation that happens when an individual is seen, heard, and given the tools to rebuild not just their lives, but their sense of dignity and purpose.