It didn’t even take 10 minutes, and I was in tears. What a powerful and emotional story! I hadn’t heard of Daniel Johnston before, and I immediately started listening to his music after watching the documentary. Incredible music and a fascinating artist. It’s quite difficult to evaluate a documentary, especially when I have no prior knowledge of the subject matter. But the story being told here feels all too familiar. It’s a story that delves into the life of a human who exist in their own reality and struggle to fit into the expectations and structures of society. The film explores themes like mental illness, artistic expression, and the battle against inner and outer demons. It tells of a person who, despite—or perhaps because of—their uniqueness, offers a distinctive perspective on the world. The film highlights the tension between creative genius and personal suffering, as well as the challenges that arise when societal conventions clash with an unorthodox and often misunderstood personality. It’s a story about isolation, understanding, and the boundaries of what is considered “normal.” The entire documentary deeply moved me, leaving me oscillating between anger, sadness, and fascination. One of my favorite quotes from film or television also fits perfect to this whole subject (from Legion (2017), FX): >Who teaches us to be normal, when we are one of a kind?