Watching a movie generally coincides with automated zombie mode. You put your feet up, dive into your buttered popcorn, and switch your think-tank into null for an hour of tame amusement.
Very rarely does a film jolt us out of our detached abyss and jog our conscience about life.
But watching HAPPY [the movie] did exactly this, and left me reeling with emotions - joy, sadness, guilt, and hope, and challenged my ‘square-box’ perception of life.
I am not a movie buff. I am not even an occasional movie aficionado. But if I banged it out on a bass drum, I could not express what a brilliant and impactful film HAPPY is.
As the film leads us on an emotive traverse of five continents, we are forced to confront human beings that defy our understanding of what makes for true happiness.
From soft-spoken words on the lakes of Louisiana, to families living below the poverty line in Namibia, to sun-bleached surfers in Brazil, and volunteers at Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying, we are shown that the simplicity of happiness is universal.
In one harrowing account, an American beauty queen tells of how her face was run over by a truck, and life took a drastic turn... for the better.
You ask yourself now, how can this be? But by the end of the movie your everyday beliefs have been so heavily rattled by the fundamental truths each character presents, that you are left wondering how we could have possibly let ourselves fall victim to modern consumerist ideals of happiness.
Money, material gain, beauty and promotions have no value when placed against friendships, social interaction, self-worth and laughter.... and they will not gain you more of the latter.
Happiness should never be measured on the back of what we can attain or accumulate or afford. What little we have, should never be taken for granted.
Next week you have the chance to watch HAPPY and open your eyes to what is truly important in life... take it.
HAPPY is a film by Academy Award nominated Director Roko Belic.
Our World Today met Roko earlier this year in Brisbane and have since gained permission to hold the South Australian PREMIERE OF THE MOVIE, which will be held next Thursday 15 December at Palace Nova Cinemas. It’s not only the movie you will experience either, as we host a full ‘Night of Happiness’ - click here for more details and to book your ticket.
JOIN our community of 50,000 readers from 170 countries and be inspired.
Our World Today is a not for profit news organisation providing a true reflection of society.
Heard an inspiring story lately? Tell us your story below and share the happiness. We might even come knocking on your door.
Mikaela White 17/4/12 - "The power of imagination makes us infinite." - John Muir
Rajvi Kotecha 26/3/12 - Yesterday I watched a truly heart warming an inspirational video that perfectly demonstrates the positive power of social media to spread messages of love, hope and solidarity. You can watch it here: http://youtu.be/mYjuUoEivbE Enabling borders, power, religion and time to merge into a common humanity, this is a good example of the interweb fulfilling it's dharma.
Augustus Tanton 14/3/12 - Do not let your ego get too close to your role, so that should your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it. Because something doesn't do that which you planned it to accomplish doesn't suggest it's useless.
