From the Academy Award® nominated director Roko Belic ("Genghis Blues") comes a new cinematic adventure. "HAPPY" is a feature‐length documentary that leads viewers on a journey across five continents in search of the keys to happiness. The film addresses many of the fundamental issues we face in today’s society: how do we balance the allure of money, fame and social status with our needs for strong relationships, health and personal fulfillment? Through remarkable human stories and cutting‐edge science, "HAPPY" leads us toward a deeper understanding of why and how we can pursue more fulfilling, healthier and happier lives.
"HAPPY" takes the viewer from the bayous of Louisiana to the deserts of Namibia, from the beaches of Brazil to the mountains of Bhutan. Listen to the wisdom of a Kolkata rickshaw driver, the compassion of a volunteer at Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying and the knowledge of some of the world’s leading happiness researchers. Witness as middle school students applaud the bravery of their classmates during a moving presentation on bullying.
"HAPPY" combines real‐life human drama and cutting‐edge science to provide insights into the mysteries of happiness.
In 2005, director Tom Shadyac ("Liar Liar, " "Patch Adams," "Bruce Almighty") handed Roko Belic a New York Times article entitled, “A New Measure of Well‐Being From a Happy Little Kingdom.” The article ranked the United States 23rd on its list of happiest countries.
Shadyac, himself dissatisfied with his luxurious Beverly Hills lifestyle, asked Belic to make a documentary investigation into the origins of human happiness‐‐and why the U.S. ranks so low. This simple inquiry led to a global exploration of happiness research.
"HAPPY" was developed under the Creative Visions Foundation, a publicly supported 501 (c)(3), which supports Creative Activists who use the power of media and the arts to affect positive change in the world.
Belic has been filming " HAPPY" for the past four years, and has attracted well‐known experts such as Ed Diener, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Richard Davidson, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and others. Marci Shimoff, best‐selling author of "Happy for No Reason" and "Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul," narrates the film.
Wadi Rum Production films are a collaboration between the two Academy Award® nominated brothers Roko and Adrian Belic. Their debut feature, "Genghis Blues," premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award and received acclaim at over 100 film festivals worldwide. Adrian’s most recent film, "Beyond the Call, " has enjoyed equal success, screening on five continents and winning over 70 international awards. "HAPPY" is Roko’s latest work.
"HAPPY" is on Facebook, and you can follow @TheHappyMovie on Twitter.
This program is part of our TV Membership Campaign. Support quality programming you depend on from KPBS. Join or renew today!