Approximately 250 people from all over the state of Arkansas came to watch the one-night screening of the enlightening and inspirational documentary, “The Happy Movie,” Jan. 26 in Reynolds Performance Hall.
Peter Mehl, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said he heard about the movie through a listing that promotes resources for a course on human happiness.
“I started searching the Internet and I found it,” he said. “I discovered that I could get a screening if I applied for one.”
The screening was funded by the Student Government Association and was promoted by the Student Activities Board.
Mehl said the Philosophy and Religion Club helped him obtain the screening for UCA because only student organizations can apply for funds through SGA.
“The Psychology Club has helped sponsor [the film] and the Learning Communities is a sponsor,” Mehl said.
The one-night screening cost $400.
The 75-minute documentary takes a journey through various parts of the world, telling the stories of people who find happiness in their lives.
The film includes clips from a slum in India, a Louisiana bayou and a South African desert and shows people who find fulfillment communing with nature, spending time with their family and being active in the community.
According to the film, Japan is the least happy country, in spite of its financial success. The film states that Denmark is the happiest country. The film showcases the fact that Denmark citizens receive free healthcare as well as a free college education.
“The Happy Movie” is a response to a new branch of psychology known as positive psychology, which studies the effects of finding happiness and researches ways to maintain happiness.
Researchers, professors and doctors contribute to the film by sharing their research and input.
Phillip Melton, who teaches a course in culture and law, asked his class to watch the documentary.
“Positive psychology to me, means how one interacts with the world and that is what my course is all about: how people relate to themselves and how they relate to the outside world,” he said. “If we have a positive outlook on life that can help us in everything we do.”
April Keeling, who came from Jerusalem, Ark. to view the film, said she heard about the screening in the newspaper and decided to attend.
“It reinforced that we take for granted what we have and the things that do make us happy like family and acts of kindness,” Keeling said.
The documentary has had screenings in theaters across the country including Oregon, Arizona and New York. It also had a screening in Australia.
“The Happy Movie” was the winner of 11 awards, including Best Documentary from the Rincon International Film Festival in Puerto Rico and the Mexico International Film Festival, Best Feature Film from The Costa Rica International Film Festival and more.
The screenings help raise awareness of World Happy Day, which will be celebrated Feb. 11.
For more information about World Happy Day or to find a screening of “The Happy Movie,” visit the website, www.thehappymovie.com.
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