No. 1. (2020) H IS FOR HAPPINESS. January 3rd.

Film No. 1 (2020) January 3rd.  8:00 PM SOMERVILLE Outdoor U.W.A.                        

"Happiness, it takes time but that doesn't mean I can't stop trying to plant the seed" (Candice, in voice over sets out to plant the seed depicting her plight for her audience).

Another film to add to the push for works depicting optimism through innocent eyes. And I loved that H Is For Happiness was shot in the country and state I know and love. 

Candice Phee (Daisey Axon) is a clear thinking nerd who wishes only good things for everyone, but most particularly her mum (Emma Booth) and dad (Richard Roxburgh) who have suffered the sad tragedy of losing a daughter to cot-death. Early on Candice connects with like minded Douglas "from another dimension" Benson (Wesley Pattern) and their innocent antics are infectiously cute and funny. 

Director John Sheedy debuts with this, his first feature, as an artist with a keen eye for colour and simplicity. Sheedy never tries too hard (a danger with this type of story) thus the script (Lisa Hoppe) combines with the colour pallet of the images beautifully. We know Candice will win through to give her community an emotional boost and the finale is best described as a stroke of genius. 

Coming from the producers of internationally acclaimed Red Dog, I do hope H achieves similar international success. It deserves it, as does the potential boost to tourism for the picturesque coastal town of Albany, Western Australia, where H is shot.  10GUMS.