Humanity Hallows Issue 5 Out Now
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By Jade Berry
WINNER of Staff Pick at Manchester International Film Festival 2017 (MANIFF) was HAPPY: A Small Film with a Big Smile, an inspiring documentary based on the life of Augusta artist Lenny Zimmerman. The documentary, shown as part of the festival’s Be Who You Are, Say What You Feel strand, embraces the notion of human love and loss.
HAPPY: A Small Film with a Big Smile follows Lenny ‘Porkchop’ Zimmerman, who tells of his struggle after the loss of his husband Brian. The documentary is an extremely personal insight into Lenny’s tumultuous past, shaping the way he views the world as well as shaping his art.
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Lenny struggled with grief and mental health problems when Brian passed away at a young age, and the Augusta art graduate was stuck in a dark place for a long time. Lenny’s use of art therapy helped him to overcome his storm and share his sunshine on the other side. The documentary follows the artist as he explains how art ‘cured’ him and how he channeled his grief into the HAPPY campaign which could have healing power for others, too.
The campaign shares joy with the world through the distribution of HAPPY stickers, TED Talks and artwork which promote the idea of overcoming obstacles and bad times. The concept grew from Lenny’s drawings of robots, the artist having been hurt so deeply, he almost became a robot himself. Lenny’s drawings created a global reminder of happiness, using brightly coloured stickers and images of a robot which have spread worldwide.
HAPPY: A Small Film with a Big Smile portrays more than just a campaign. The documentary also looks at humanity and explores how many issues can affect everybody no matter who they are, who they love or how they choose to live their lives.
First-time Director, Michael Patrick McKinley, in a Q&A after the screening, told the audience how he had felt a real urge to tell Lenny’s story. He said, “I watched Lenny’s TED Talk and it really stuck with me. I just knew I had to make this movie.” He then went on to explain how he quit his job as an interior designer to raise funds for and direct the film. He felt a lot of pressure to get this documentary perfect, as Lenny was trusting him with his deepest fears and hardships.
This inspirational documentary is a feel-good, heart-warming must-see tale which highlights the positive effects of art and the beauty that can come of it. HAPPY: A Small Film with a Big Smile will undoubtedly leave a smile on your face, and happiness in your heart.
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