British filmmaker Billy Lumby has completed his feature directorial debut “Florid,” which had its world premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival. The film centers on Jamal, a young man who experiences auditory hallucinations and struggles to maintain his mental health while living in supported housing in East London alongside others facing similar challenges.
Lumby conceived the project partly as a response to what he describes as the misrepresentation of schizophrenia in cinema, where the condition is frequently depicted through violent outbursts and extreme behavioral episodes. Rather than following those conventional portrayals, “Florid” explores how Jamal attempts to balance his prescribed medication with his cannabis use while contending with intensifying voices, particularly after he stops taking his medication. The filmmaker draws on personal mental health experiences and extensive research into the British mental health system, including visits to psychiatric wards and time shadowing social workers across London.
The film employs an innovative approach to authenticity in its sound design. Lead actor Jonathan Jules, known for his work in Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe,” wears earpieces during filming while other actors speak into microphones from a separate location to allow him to hear and react to the voices in real time. Jamal hears three distinct voices: a critical young girl representing self-doubt, a rapper embodying grandiose thinking, and his stepfather’s voice expressing paranoia. The production also incorporates genuine members of the mental health community, including psychiatrists, social workers, and individuals with lived experiences of severe mental illness, many in non-acting roles.
Lumby states his primary aim is to raise awareness about severe mental health conditions and the inadequate funding they receive within the National Health Service. He notes that while societal discourse frequently addresses depression and anxiety, severe mental health conditions remain significantly misunderstood and stigmatized. The filmmaker expresses hope that the film will generate discussion around these issues, even among viewers who may not connect with the work itself. The production was led by producers Rupert Lloyd, an Oscar nominee for “Theeb,” and Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor.
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