‘Florid’ Director Billy Lumby on Challenging ‘Misrepresentation’ of Schizophrenia on Screen and Casting Non-Actors in Feature Debut

The film, following a man struggling with the voices he hears, has its world premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival

By Alex Ritman

Alex Ritman

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The depiction of schizophrenia on screen — especially in horror movies — has largely seen the mental health condition linked to violent and unpredictable rages, showing people when something has gone horribly wrong.

This “misrepresentation,” according to British filmmaker Billy Lumby (a BAFTA nominee for his short film “Samuel-613”), was part of the inspiration behind his feature directorial debut “Florid,” having its world premiere at San Sebastian Film Festival.

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