Normal to Me is an engaging and heartwarming feature documentary that intimately explores the lives of individuals with special needs, all employed at the Joyce Chevalier Centre Protective Workshop, nestled in the picturesque seaside town of Fish Hoek, South Africa. More than a workplace, the centre becomes the heart of a story that gently, yet powerfully, redefines the notion of “normal.”
The documentary opens with breathtaking visuals; pristine beaches, dramatic mountain views, and the softest sunrays, setting the tone for a film that is both visually soothing and emotionally stirring. These opening scenes do more than showcase natural beauty; they set the viewer in the calm and openness that sustains the film’s tone and message.
We are soon introduced to the centre through the soft, reassuring vocals of Catherine Pitt, the workshop’s manager. What follows is a joyous and thoughtful introduction to a diverse and spirited group of individuals, affectionately dubbed with nicknames that reveal both personality and presence: Catherine aka The Boss, Taryn Denne aka The Ideas Person, Darren Alex aka The Gamer, Debbie Fourie aka Guardian of the Keys, Colin Westin aka Mr Always Hungry, Stephen Stanford aka I’m Here, I’ll Do It, I Can, Daniel Corbet aka Member of the Bee Team, Donovan De Beer aka The Head Sweeper, Andrea Schrieber aka The Calm…and many more.
Everyone, regardless of ability, is presented as a co-worker and equal, not through scripted dialogue, but in the natural rhythms of daily work and shared banter. The film resists hierarchy, leaning instead into camaraderie, laughter, and the shared effort of showing up every day.
Director Luke Sharland allows the camera to wander with panning between speakers and checking in on another’s actions, creating a warm, unforced rhythm that mirrors the casual intimacy of the centre itself. The use of animated transitions and upbeat music injects levity into heavier themes, without ever undermining the sincerity of the stories shared. The editing is pitch-perfect, highlighting humour and personality, like when Shaun Payne, aka The Muscle, earnestly expresses his dream of becoming a bodybuilder.
There’s no sense of performance or pity here. Just people, being; recalling childhood memories, daily challenges, aspirations and the joy of belonging. The film’s strength lies in a tone that is honest, celebratory, and deeply humane.
One of the documentary’s most memorable moments is a collective reflection on the word “normal.” Each person interviewed offers a unique definition, grounded not in ability or diagnosis, but in connection, care, and community. The phrase “Normal to me…” becomes both title and proposal, inviting the audience to reconsider their own assumptions.
“Normal is the way you behave. Normal is your approach. Normal is looking out for other people. Normal is joining in.”
And then comes the closing scene; a brilliant, joy-filled dance sequence complete with costumes, choreography, and palpable excitement. It’s a finale that doesn’t just end the film but lifts it
The Encounters South African International Documentary Festival has long championed stories that challenge dominant narratives, uplift marginalised voices, and provoke necessary conversations. In that spirit, Normal to Me finds the perfect placement here. It doesn’t speak for its subjects, it simply gives them the space to speak, work, and dance for themselves. In doing so, it reminds us that “normal” is never about conformity, it’s about belonging.
Catch the film at the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival: http://encounters.co.za/
Screening Schedule
21 June 13:30 Labia (Cape Town)
28 June 17:00 Bertha Isi (Cape Town)
25 June 20:30 Bioscope (Johannesburg)
This review emanates from the Talent Press programme, an initiative of Talents Durban in collaboration with the Durban FilmMart Institute and FIPRESCI. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author Alice Johnson and cannot be considered as constituting an official position of the organisers.
