Synopsis

Twenty-something Art is quite depressed and a frustrated musician, undergoing what he sees as a quarter life crisis. Vocationless and without direction, he tries to make his own way and become a singer/songwriter. But his girlfriend dumps him and he must move back to in with his uncommunicative parents who are far from thrilled with the idea. Art’s only friend, a agoraphobic Ronny, has his own problems. Holed up in a London flat in a daze of Nitrous Oxide and electro music, Ronny wants to start a band with Art and happy-go-lucky friend Nikki, but only if it involves going no further than the flat’s roof garden. One day Art finds a psychology guru Dr. Levi and invites him from Canada to UK. Art feels that he’s finding a turning point with Dr. Levi’s advices, but problems are not really solved. Art’s painfully funny journey to define his existence brings to the fore the dysfunctional relationship he has with his parents and the importance in his life of his oddball friends. Rich in detail and dark yet affectionate humors, How to Be is a timely look at the increasingly common phenomena of grown-up children living at home, frustrated creativity and self-help.

Director

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  • Oliver Irving
  • Oliver Irving began making films with a camera in his childhood. He later studied film at Bournemouth Film School and showed musical talent as well. How to Be is Oliver Irving’s feature film debut. The film was invited to various international film festivals and won awards at the New Orleans Film Festival and Slamdance Film Festival. Currently, he is working on a film focusing on emotions, communication, and relationships with two female protagonists.