H IS FOR HAPPINESS Trailer
H is for Happiness is the story of Candice Phee (newcomer Daisy Axon), a relentlessly optimistic and hilariously forthright girl on the cusp of her 13th birthday. Candice’s family is in disarray: her mum has been living with depression since the death of Candice’s baby sister, while her dad (Richard Roxburgh) and his brother – Candice’s beloved Rich Uncle Brian (Joel Jackson) – are not on speaking terms. As she faces the uncertainties of impending adolescence with the help of her new friend Douglas Benson, Candice hatches a variety of outlandish schemes to make her nearest and dearest happy again.
It’s been a particular strong year for Australian cinema so far; Storm Boy might’ve disappointed commercially (Geoffrey Rush’s involvement hurt it significantly), but there’s been the rom-com Top End Wedding, Damon Gameau’s climate change documentary 2040 and Anthony Maras’ chilling Hotel Mumbai, each one distinct in plot, tone and style and H is for Happiness seems to be another winner in this streak.
As glimpsed in its first trailer, the film’s vivid fruit bowl aesthetics and feel-good sensibilities, sourced by Lisa Hoppe’s screenplay and brought to radiant life by Bonnie Elliott’s camera, should guarantee that it’ll become another hit for Australia’s triumphant 2019 movie season.
John Sheedy, director of the MIFF 2017 Best Australian Short Film Mrs McCutcheon, makes his feature debut with H is for Happiness, supported by the MIFF Premiere Fund. The film will be making its world premiere at this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival’s 2019 Family Gala on 11th August, with an undated wide release in Australia to follow this year.
Do you think H is for Happiness will be a hit with Australian audiences? Let us know in the comments!
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