Our Mad in America affiliate, Mad in Norway, is hosting an international film festival from September 24-26 in Lillehammer, Norway. Each week, we will feature a film. This week is On My Way to Where.
Short synopsis from the films website
“Writing and singing the unvarnished truth about one’s buried secret life experiences is more common today than when Dory Previn wrote brilliant, disturbing, and darkly funny songs in the1970s. Previn began as an Academy Award nominated lyricist for Hollywood musicals with songs for Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland & Dionne Warwick before a tabloid scandal and public breakdown led to her re-emergence as a cult artist in the Laurel Canyon scene. The film taps archives for a story in Previn’s voice. J. Smith-Cameron (SUCCESSION) reads the voices in Dory’s head. Dory’s eloquent articulation of her relationship with her voices anticipates the burgeoning Hearing Voices and Mad Pride movements that are revolutionizing how we understand mental health.”
Summary
The film offers an intimate portrait of songwriter Dory Previn’s life and career, introducing us to a remarkable artist and Hollywood figure. Through candid reflections, she shares how she confronted deep personal trauma and ultimately learned to live with—rather than fear—her inner voices.
Her childhood was marked by emotional pain, shaped by a war-injured father who neglected and abused her, leaving lasting wounds that followed her into adulthood. In the film, Dory questions why society fears intense emotions—why we are discouraged from expressing pain, anger, or despair, and instead are pushed to suppress them.
Her songwriting became a powerful outlet, evolving into a raw and honest record of a woman’s life, her struggles, and her path toward healing. After experiencing divorce and a mental breakdown, she rediscovered herself through humor, creativity, and what she describes as a kind of liberating madness.
When she accepted her Emmy, she famously thanked “Mom, Max, and the Lion”—names she gave to her voices—prompting both laughter and warmth from the audience. In doing so, she challenged stigma and revealed how what is often labeled as madness can also be a source of creativity and insight.
Ultimately, Dory concludes that her greatest achievement was learning to face herself. Rather than retreat inward, she found strength in self-confrontation—embracing all parts of her identity as the key to healing and wholeness.
Film website: https://www.doryprevindoc.com/
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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 this film, festival programming, tickets, and other information. We hope to see you there!
And stay tuned here each week for more exciting films!
