Our Mad in America affiliate, Mad in Norway, is hosting an international film festival from September 24-26 in Lillehammer, Norway. For the next few months, we will be posting trailers of some of the films that will be shown. This week is the film, The Happy Pill
Synopsis from producer
This is the story of a young girl with a shattered self-image who lost 10 years of her life. Why did it develop so seriously? Was it necessary for her to experience what she herself describes as “10 years of torture”? These are the questions Silje Marie seeks answers to in her documentary film “Lykkepillen” (The Happy Pill).
Summary
In this Norwegian documentary, we follow Silje Marie Standberg, who lost more than a decade of her youth after seeking help for the effects of bullying. Struggling with deep sadness and a damaged sense of self, she was hospitalized for depression at just 16. Shortly after being prescribed antidepressants, she began experiencing suicidal thoughts and hearing unfamiliar voices. She was then diagnosed with schizophrenia and treated with neuroleptic drugs, after which she developed hallucinations.
Although her symptoms are recognized side effects of the medications she was given, her concerns were dismissed. Instead of reconsidering the treatment, doctors increased her dosages and added more drugs. Over time, she was prescribed 29 different medications, underwent 18 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy, and was restrained 195 times. She encountered more than 200 staff members, yet only one took the time to truly see her as a person. That connection became a turning point, and today she is free from both medication and symptoms.
Through interviews with professionals and some of her therapists, the film suggests that there was a lack of courage to question or stop a treatment that appeared to be causing harm. Medical records show her condition worsening throughout the process. Combined with these testimonies, the documentary presents a striking critique of how treatment itself can contribute to mental distress. Ultimately, it highlights how recognition, respect, physical touch and trust—embodied by one compassionate nurse—helped Silje Marie regain her health and her will to live.
The film’s website is sommerfugleffekten.no/filmer
This and many other films will be presented at the Mad in Norway International Film Festival in Lillehammer, Norway September 24 – 26, 2026. Please visit Mad in Norway International Film Festival’s website at madinnorwayfilmfest.org to find out more about festival programming, tickets, and other information. We hope to see you there!
And stay tuned here each week for more exciting films!
