Kevin Tiller

Well of course, being Happy referred to the film I saw after work. I quite like work but I wouldn’t really say it’s a Happy place!

I went to see the Happy movie at Govinda’s in Kings Cross as part of the Films for Change meetup group.

Does money make you happy? Kids and family? Your work? Do you live in a world that values and promotes happiness and well-being? Are we in the midst of a happiness revolution? HAPPY, the latest award-winning film from Academy Award® nominated director, Roko Belic (Genghis Blues) and Executive Producer, Tom Shadyac (Nutty Professor, Bruce Almighty, I AM), takes us on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the slums of Kolkata in search of what really makes people happy. Combining real life stories of people from around the world and powerful interviews with the leading scientists in happiness research, HAPPY explores the secrets behind our most valued emotion. HAPPY features insights from experts in the field of positive psychology including Ed Diener, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Richard Davidson, Daniel Gilbert, NicMarks, Gregory Berns, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, P. Read Montague, and Tim Kasser and is narrated by Marci Shimoff, best selling author of ‘Happy for No Reason’ and ‘Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul’.

For a change Dawn came and saw it with me, which was great. I would prefer she came to all of the films, but there is only so much spare time we each have.

We both enjoyed the film and the food afterwards and enjoyed chatting with the other people that saw it.

We were home by about 10pm.

As seems to be the becoming norm for a Thursday night, after work I went to Govinda’s to see a Films For Change film – this week was “Jason Becker – Not Dead Yet“. I left work approx 5.35pm and walked to Martin Place to catch a train one stop to King’s Cross for a 5 minute walk.

The year is 1989, and 19-year old Jason Becker from Richmond, California has just been offered the biggest rock guitar job on the planet. He’s on the cover of every guitar magazine and is being hailed by critics as a genius and the next greatest rock guitarist in the world. Jason’s childhood dream of making and performing music has come true. One week later, during an examination of his leg, Jason’s dream turned into a nightmare when he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and given just a few years to live. 23 years later, without the ability to move or to speak, Jason is alive and making music… with his eyes.

I liked the film. I had never heard of Jason Becker before and although I love music I am not really a fan of his heavy-ish metal style. However it was a fascinating film.

Afterwards was of course the great food at the restaurant and chatting with the other movie-goers, who are always an interesting bunch. I find it surprising that most weeks, it’s a different set of people with maybe only a few going most weeks. I then caught a train to Caringbah to meet Dawn, post-yoga, for a lift home. It’s like a nice peaceful time out from the week to lay back on the cushions and reflect on life.

I went to another “meet up” group tonight – Films for Change had a film at Cronulla (details here). I am not really sure how I found them, probably recommended as lots of people at Think. Act. Change are also members.

Anyway it kicked off at the heart and sole organic cafe in Cronulla at 6pm (which meant leaving work at 4.30pm a bit of a pain but it’s Friday afternoon, so not a big drama). This is a great place I have been meaning to try for a long time so that sealed the deal for me. The food was great and will probably take the family there. It was $30 for meal and film. There was a good mix of people too so the chatter was interesting.

Then we walked around the corner for the film “I Am” in the yoga studio. cool deck chairs and cushions/blankets (it is winter!) The basic premise of the film was that this rich guy in Hollywood films, had a bike accident an re-evaluated his life and questioned things:

What’s wrong with our world? and what can we do about it? With a film crew of four, Tom Shadyac visits some of today s great minds, including authors, poets, teachers, religious leaders, and scientists (Howard Zinn, Lynn McTaggart, Desmond Tutu, Thom Harmann, Coleman Barks) searching for the fundamental endemic problem that causes all of the other problems, while simultaneously reflecting on this own life choices of excess, greed and eventually… healing.

If you are looking for proof that the ONLY way to survive in this planet is by killing each other, stepping over people and ignoring social issues and calling those who don’t crazy, then no, this movie is not for you. If you have an open heart and know deep in your core that there is evidence all around that what we are doing is NOT working, that we are ALL suffering, then this movie might be of interest to you… This movie is about the basics, about how we can all tap into our most effortless human instincts and feelings of love, compassion, co-operation etc, and how those are more powerful than you even realize.

We as a society DESPERATELY need more films, books and art of all kinds out there with these kind of messages, this film is chock-full of great thoughts, wisdom and facts and is a rare find.

After the film they served chai and vegan deserts,so we chatted quickly and then left. I got home about 10.20pm.