Private Project

Crazy Happy

CRAZY HAPPY follows a group of people with mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts and depression, as they embark on a one hundred day journey to find happiness - with amazing results.

OFFICIAL SELECTION - Auckland International Photography Festival, NZ
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Artemis Film Festival, LA
OFFICIAL SELECTION - FINALIST Toronto Alternative Film Festival, Best Writer of a Feature - Winner

  • Alison Davie
    Director
  • Alison Davie
    Writer
    Shortland Street (tv drama) Danny Alexander (short film)
  • Zuleika Gilbert
    Producer
  • Denise Caltaux
    Key Cast
  • Meredith Bargh
    Key Cast
  • Shelley Foster
    Key Cast
  • Povl Jensen
    Key Cast
  • Isaac Bell
    Editor
  • Alison Davie
    Editor
  • Alex Mason
    Camera/Sound
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    48 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 14, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    26,000 NZD
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    DCP
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Home town screening
    Whangarei
    New Zealand
    December 14, 2016
    Northland Premiere
  • Alternative FIlm Festival (Toronto)
    Toronto
    Canada
    Best Writer of a Feature - Winner
  • Artemis Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    April 23, 2017
    USA Premiere - Officially International Premiere
  • Auckland International Photography and Arts Festival
    Auckland
    New Zealand
    June 17, 2017
Director Biography - Alison Davie

I graduated with Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2006, majoring in Writing and Directing. My graduating short film Danny Alexander was selected for the Ivy Film Festival in New York as well as NZ film festivals. I wrote for a TV before embarking on a solo career as a scriptwriter mostly. The opportunity arose to direct this documentary and due to the subject matter, i jumped at the chance. This is my first directing (and co--editing) film., filmed with no budget initially, then a $26,000 budget for post production.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This documentary is important because it introduces a new and unconventional yet simple form of therapy to people who suffer from mental health issues, depression and suicidal thoughts, and helps them find a way out by focusing on the positive side of life. SImple and easy - but truly effective. This is why it was important for me to do. In Northland particularly we have a rising number of suicides and youth suicides, which made us think that conventional methods weren't working and something needed to change - this is the change.