Happiness Is
Encyclopedia
Happiness Is is a 2009 documentary film that the examines the different interpretations of the "pursuit of happiness" in America. The film features interviews with notable personalities such as His Holiness The Dalai Lama
, Willie Nelson
and John Mellencamp
as well has happiness authors Daniel Gilbert, Gretchen Rubin
and Darrin McMahon. It's the second film from director and writer Andrew Shapter
.
. The film examines American's constant struggle to find more happiness as it breaks down the many interpretations of what Thomas Jefferson really meant when he wrote the words "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"...
, Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
and John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds...
as well has happiness authors Daniel Gilbert, Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Craft Rubin is an American author and attorney. She is author of Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill, along with Forty Ways to Look at JFK...
and Darrin McMahon. It's the second film from director and writer Andrew Shapter
Andrew Shapter
Andrew Shapter is a Texas-born filmmaker, writer and photographer. He directed and co-wrote Before the Music Dies, a documentary that examines the homogenization of the American music industry...
.
Synopsis
Happiness Is, a road trip documentary that explores American's “pursuit of happiness”. It is the second film from Andrew Shapter, Director of the popular music documentary, Before the Music DiesBefore the Music Dies
Before the Music Dies is a 2006 documentary film that criticizes the American music industry and the increasing commercialization of the art of music over the past thirty years...
. The film examines American's constant struggle to find more happiness as it breaks down the many interpretations of what Thomas Jefferson really meant when he wrote the words "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness".