“Le Bonheur de Pierre” (A Happy Man) premiere at NYC Festival

Critically acclaimed Canada-France co- production feature film “Le Bonheur de Pierre” (A Happy Man) is pleased to announce it will be making its New York City debut on October 24th at the prestigious New York Film & Video Festival A Happy Man, “Le Bonheur de Pierre” is a touching politically incorrect comedy and triumph of happiness over human mediocrity. It stars Pierre Richard the comedy icon of French Cinema and award winning Quebec ; actor Rémy Girard. Rémy Girard is best known internationally for his role in the Oscar winning film“Les Invasions Barbares” (The Barbarian Invasions). A Happy Man will then continue on the festival circuit  at the 33rd São Paulo International Film   Festival and “The Monte Carlo Comedy Festival” in late November.

Upon viewing “Le Bonheur de Pierre” (A Happy Man)  I  found  the story  is wonderful; it offers refreshing humor on the surface and a touching message about happiness and unity on other levels.;It was a good as any of the films that I’ve reviewed at the Cannes Film Festival and not surprisingly had a private screening there with outstanding acclaim.  You will laugh and  be touched by this movie.

Prior to the New York Screening  I had the opportunity to  meet the delightful Writer and Producer of  Happy Man Guy Bonnier.  He  began his career out as the lighting engineer for famous French- Canadian singer Daniel Lavoie and moved into freelance tv  film production. 

Monsieur  Bonnier  is co founder of I studio a Canadian  production company based in Montreal. Istudio makes television programs and fiction or documentary film and shows. The

properties they have produced including one that provided a meeting with Nelson Mandela.  iStudio has also organized live music events including the concert Dark Side of the Moon, for the centennial of the Magny-Cours Grand Prix of Formula

KK Could you discuss the origin of this particular story as well as why you felt the need to commit it to film for others to watch?

A: I’ve spent 30 years in this business, and I’ve always had this dream of doing a movie, my movie. When I hit 40, I realized it was the last call. I always have been slowwww! As a producer I had a tremendous thrill producing my first feature. It took us 6 years, always have been slowwww!

KK If you would, please discuss with our readers how you decided to approach the physical production in terms of design, cinematography, performance style, i.e. the overall directorial vision you employed to create the film itself?

We decided to shoot the film on location in this little village of Sainte-Rose-du-Nord in the beautiful region of Saguenay, 2 hours north of Quebec City. It was a great  challenge to do a movie in northern Quebec by -20 Farhenheit but we got  wonderful images in a unic place of  about billion years old.

KK: In what way, if at all, has your own life experience both personally and professionally influenced your decision-making process while making this film?

GB:  Humbly, I wanted to do a film to help promote a better world.

KK  What message or themes do you hope the audience picks up on and hopefullydiscusses after watching The Happy Man?

GB:  As a writer, I am proud of the message we send with this movie. We are one! All together on this planet, we are one, all linked together. The day we realize this,we will be aware, we will respect each other, be tolerant, accept our differences, and  that will instantly be the end of all our problems on this planet.