MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

By Raquel Mira

I Used to Be Normal is a documentary directed by Jessica Leski which centers on the effects that boy bands have on girls. The doc focuses on 4 girls/women that varied in age but are very much in love with a boy band.

First, we meet Elif, 16-year-old girl from Long Island, in love with One Direction. Then we meet Dara, 33, Sydney Australia, quite taken with Take That. Then Sadia, 25, San Fransisco, into Backstreet Boys. Last but definitely not least we have Susan, 64, Melbourne Australia, who was infatuated with the original boy band The Beatles. We, as the audience, meet these women who discuss their infatuation with these bands and how it affects their careers and most importantly their personal lives.

This movie really spoke to me. As I was looking at the program for the many films offered at the festival, this one really jumped out at me. I have been a fan of boy bands since I could remember, so I thought this movie would be a great fit and it was! Before the film began the Theater Manager introduced the film as “a look back at adolescence and the joys of nostalgia” and I totally agree with that statement. One of the biggest draws to the movie is its recall to the 00’s, 90’s, and 60’s.

One of the aspects that I truly enjoyed about in the film was meeting someone who was at the beginning of the boy band phenomena with The Beatles, Susan. She shared how she fell completely in love with all four of them, but John (Lennon) had a special place in her heart. She would also discuss how The Beatles would help her in a time of personal struggle, like when her one of her closest girlfriends was diagnosed with Leukemia. She was so heartbroken about the incident she sometimes has to turn off their early work because it reminds her of such a hard time.

Sadia was someone who reminded me of my sister. My sister was IN LOVE with the Backstreet Boys. I know most of the songs today purely through second-hand listening. Sadia was so into the Backstreet Boys she had a newsletter that had 2,000 subscribers. She would send out news and general information about the group as individuals or as a collective. Later you find out that Sadia is an editorial writer and that that experience shaped her future career.

Dara couldn’t get enough of Take That as a teen, but she was afraid to share it with anyone because of the ridicule. No one she knew was interested in that type of music. It affected her so much that it would destroy her romantic relationships. But, then she found someone who was a “closeted” Take That fan, and she believes that she has found her soulmate.

Elif was the girl who stole the show for me. We were introduced to her as a 16-year-old girl, who is a Turkish immigrant that moved to the USA when she was one. She was the oldest of five siblings and felt a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. We followed her through her years in high school and how she was so in love with these five boys and their music. We jump to her graduation, and she is interested in becoming a musician, which is such an eloquent transition from her crazed fan days.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie and the individuals that shared their journey. I recommend this movie if you’re even just a smidge of a fangirl/fanboy.