New Movies: How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World (2025) by Florian Pochlatko

"How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World (2025)": Florian Pochlatko's Genre-Bending Debut Explores Reality and Mental Health

Florian Pochlatko's feature directorial debut, "How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World (2025)," is an Austrian drama that delves into themes of identity, mental health, and the subjective nature of reality through a unique, genre-bending approach. The film, which premiered at the Berlinale and opened the Diagonale festival in 2025, follows a young woman navigating her return home after a stay in a psychiatric hospital, confronting both the external world and her internal struggles in ways that blur the lines between the ordinary and the surreal.   

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31807192/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/473903/

About movie: https://www.alphaviolet.com/how-to-be-normal/

Link to watch: https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/how-to-be-normal-and-the-oddness-of-the-other-world

Detailed Summary:

The film centers on 26-year-old Pia, who is剛released from a psychiatric hospital and moves back in with her parents on the outskirts of Vienna. As she attempts to reintegrate into "normal" life, juggling a shaky new job, a lingering heartbreak, managing her medication, and facing social stigma, Pia discovers that her parents' lives are also far from stable in a rapidly changing world. The narrative takes an unconventional turn as Pia's perception of reality becomes increasingly unsteady, leading to moments where she seemingly transforms into a giant monster or perhaps a heroine destined to save the world. This fantastical element serves as a metaphor for her internal state and her struggle to find equilibrium and meaning in a world that feels overwhelming and out of control. The film is an exploration of identity, family dynamics, and self-discovery, questioning who gets to define what is considered "normal."   

Plot Summary:

• 26-year-old Pia is released from a psychiatric hospital and returns to live with her parents.   

• She struggles to navigate everyday life, including finding a job and managing her mental health.   

• Pia's perception of reality becomes increasingly fluid, leading to surreal and fantastical experiences.

• The film explores her relationship with her parents and her attempts to find her place in the world.   

• The narrative blends elements of drama with moments of fantasy and genre bending to reflect Pia's internal state.

Director's Vision:

Florian Pochlatko's vision for "How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" is characterized by an intuitive and emotional approach to filmmaking. For his feature debut, he sought to blend various genres and narrative forms to create a fragmented yet cohesive world design that reflects the protagonist's state of mind and the challenges of navigating a complex reality. Pochlatko has expressed a desire to build bridges of understanding towards neurodiverse people and to portray the difficulties associated with mental illness with open and honest seriousness, while avoiding romanticization. His film utilizes bold stylistic decisions, including alternating aspect ratios and pop-cultural references, to create a unique cinematic language that is both personal and universal.   

Themes:

• Mental Health and Illness: The film directly confronts the experience of living with mental illness, the challenges of recovery, medication, and the societal stigma associated with it.   

• The Nature of Reality and Perception: Through Pia's shifting perceptions and the film's surreal elements, the movie questions what is real and how individual subjective experiences shape our understanding of the world.   

• Identity and Self-Discovery: Pia's journey is one of searching for her identity and finding her place in a world where she feels fundamentally different, exploring themes of self-acceptance and transformation.   

• Family Dynamics and Support Systems: The film examines the impact of family relationships on mental health and recovery, portraying both the challenges and potential support offered by Pia's parents.   

• Defining Normalcy: The title and narrative directly engage with the societal construct of "normalcy" and who holds the power to define it, challenging conventional perspectives on mental health and behavior.

Key Success Factors:

• Compelling Portrayal of Mental Health: The film's ability to sensitively and realistically portray the complexities of mental illness while incorporating its unique stylistic elements is crucial for critical and audience reception.

• Effective Blend of Genres: The success of the genre-bending approach hinges on its ability to enhance the emotional and thematic depth of the story rather than feeling disjointed or purely stylistic.

• Strong Lead Performance: Luisa-Céline Gaffron's portrayal of Pia is central to the film's emotional core and its ability to connect with the audience on a personal level.

• Unique Visual and Narrative Style: The film's bold stylistic choices, if well-executed, can make it stand out and contribute to its critical recognition.

Summary Short:

"How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World (2025)" is an Austrian drama directed by Florian Pochlatko about a young woman's struggle with mental health and reality after returning home from a psychiatric hospital. The film premiered at Berlinale and features a unique, genre-bending style.   

Awards and Nominations:

"How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" was nominated for the GWFF Best First Feature Award at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2025, recognizing Florian Pochlatko's work as a debut director.   

Critics Reception:

Early critical reception from the film's premieres at Berlinale and Diagonale has been largely positive, with critics praising its inventive approach to a sensitive subject matter, strong lead performance, and unique visual style.

• Loud & Clear: Described the film as demonstrating "unbridled nature" that is "simply stunning," praising Florian Pochlatko's pop-cultural sensitivity and love of storytelling. Noted that Pochlatko's artistic vision is "precise and exacting" and that the film takes risks with alternating aspect ratios and experimental storytelling that make it "truly unique."   

• Cineuropa: Highlighted the director's intent to "build bridges to understand neurodiverse people" and found the film an "impressive debut, demonstrating an innate ability to blend the personal with the universal, the real with the imaginary. A work that is not afraid to explore the uncomfortable."   

• Universal Cinema: Appreciated the film's "unique portrayal of mental illness on screen" and how the technical aspects lend themselves to portraying Pia's state of mind. Found the genre bending and tone shifts to work well in building tension, though noted it could become "slightly fatiguing to watch by the end."

• Caligari: Praised Luisa-Céline Gaffron's "stunning" portrayal of Pia, stating she "understands Pia in her portrayal, casting a mirror onto the audience."

Overall Critics Reception Summary:

Critical reception for "How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" is generally positive, with reviewers commending Florian Pochlatko's ambitious and inventive approach to exploring mental health and reality in his feature debut. Critics particularly lauded Luisa-Céline Gaffron's central performance and the film's bold stylistic choices, including genre bending and visual experimentation, for effectively conveying the protagonist's subjective experience. While some found the film's unconventional nature potentially challenging at times, the overall consensus points to a significant and promising new voice in Austrian cinema.

Production:

"How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" is a 2025 Austrian drama film with a runtime of 90 minutes. It is a production by Golden Girls Film Production, with support from institutions like the Austrian Film Institute, the Vienna Film Fund, and the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation. The film was shot in German with some English elements and filmed on location in Vienna and Lower Austria, Austria. Principal photography took place in April and May 2023. It is the feature directorial debut of Florian Pochlatko, who also wrote the screenplay. Key crew members include Adrian Bidron as cinematographer and Julia Drack as editor.   

Production Companies:

• Golden Girls Film Production (Austria)   

Sales Companies:

• Alpha Violet (Paris, France) is handling the international sales for the film.

Distribution Companies:

• FILMLADEN Filmverleih (Austria) is the theatrical distributor for Austria.

Release Date on Streaming:

A streaming release date for "How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" on major platforms has not been announced. Streaming availability will likely follow its theatrical run and depend on international distribution and sales deals.

Theatrical Release:

"How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" had its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2025, in the Perspectives section. It served as the opening film of the Diagonale – Festival of Austrian Film on March 27, 2025. The theatrical release in Austria is scheduled for September 19, 2025.   

Why to Recommend This Movie:

• Unique and Inventive Filmmaking: If you appreciate films that push stylistic and narrative boundaries and offer a fresh perspective on storytelling.

• Important Exploration of Mental Health: The film tackles the sensitive topic of mental health with what critics describe as honesty and a desire for understanding.

• Strong Lead Performance: Luisa-Céline Gaffron's portrayal of the protagonist has been highlighted as a key strength of the film.

• Thought-Provoking Themes: The film engages with complex ideas about reality, identity, and societal norms.   

Why to Watch Movie:

• Experience a Genre-Bending Narrative: If you are interested in films that blend different genres (drama, fantasy, surrealism) to tell a story.

• See a Promising Debut Director's Work: The film is Florian Pochlatko's first feature and has already garnered positive attention at major festivals.   

• Gain Insight into Mental Health Portrayal: The film offers a unique and potentially impactful depiction of living with mental illness.

• Appreciate Austrian Cinema: It provides an opportunity to see a contemporary Austrian film that has been recognized on the international festival circuit.

What Movie Trend film is following:

The film aligns with the trend of feature directorial debuts that gain prominence through film festivals. It also fits into the increasing focus on mental health representation in cinema, often exploring subjective experiences and challenging stigma. Furthermore, its blend of genres and narrative experimentation places it within the realm of European art house cinema and genre-bending filmmaking.

What Big Social Trend is following:

"How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" is highly relevant to the growing social trend of increased awareness and open discussion surrounding mental health. It contributes to challenging the stigma associated with mental illness and encourages empathy and understanding towards neurodiverse individuals. The film also touches on the broader societal struggle with navigating a complex and rapidly changing world and the individual search for meaning and equilibrium amidst feelings of being an "outsider" or not conforming to perceived norms.   

Final Verdict:

"How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" is a striking and promising feature debut from Florian Pochlatko. The film's bold and inventive approach to exploring themes of mental health, identity, and reality has resonated with critics at major festivals. With a compelling central performance by Luisa-Céline Gaffron and a unique blend of genres and visual styles, the movie offers a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant cinematic experience. While its unconventional nature may not appeal to all viewers, it stands out as a significant contribution to contemporary Austrian cinema and a sensitive portrayal of the challenges faced by individuals navigating mental illness in a world that often struggles to understand. Its festival success and upcoming theatrical release in Austria indicate a film that is both artistically ambitious and capable of connecting with audiences on important social themes.   

Recommendations for Filmmakers:

• Embrace Personal Storytelling: Don't shy away from exploring personal experiences or themes that are meaningful to you, as this can lead to authentic and impactful narratives.

• Experiment with Form and Genre: Be willing to blend genres and utilize unconventional narrative or visual techniques if they serve to enhance the emotional and thematic core of your story.

• Portray Sensitive Subjects with Honesty and Empathy: When tackling challenging topics like mental health, approach them with sincerity, research, and a focus on the human experience to create a meaningful portrayal.

• Utilize Film Festivals as a Platform: Film festivals can be crucial for gaining exposure, critical attention, and distribution for independent and debut films.   

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Support Debut Filmmakers with Unique Visions: Actively seek out and provide resources for emerging directors who demonstrate a distinct artistic voice and a willingness to take creative risks.

• Champion Films Exploring Mental Health: Continue to support films that sensitively and realistically portray mental health experiences, contributing to greater awareness and reducing stigma.

• Recognize the Value of Genre-Bending Cinema: Films that blend genres can offer fresh perspectives and appeal to audiences looking for innovative storytelling.   

• Promote Diverse Voices and Perspectives: Support films from different countries and cultural backgrounds that offer unique insights into the human experience.

Final Conclusions:

Florian Pochlatko's "How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" is a significant debut that has made a notable impression on the festival circuit. The film's courage in tackling complex themes like mental health with an inventive and genre-bending approach, coupled with a strong lead performance, positions it as a compelling and thought-provoking work. Its exploration of reality, identity, and the societal perception of normalcy resonates with contemporary social discussions. As it moves towards its theatrical release, the film stands as a testament to the power of personal storytelling and artistic risk-taking in addressing important human experiences and challenging conventional cinematic forms.