Review of The Happy Lands (2012) by James H — 22 Mar 2013

I saw The Happy Lands last night at The Gala Cinema Durham, along with my 18-year-old daughter, Iona. I loved it and she liked it a lot, although it's far from her usual fare. I grew up in Lumphinnans (which is between Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly) and laughed when I saw the name Cowdengelly, because that's the joke word we as kids used to use for the area. In fact for a short time when I was 4, my Mum and Dad rented a room in the original Happylands (the name of a real area of a few streets) in Lochgelly. I loved the film. I thought it was 100% true to the people I grew up with in the 50s and 60s, many of whom had lived through 1926. The whole community can be proud of this film and so can the film-makers. Together they've made one of the best films of its kind I've seen in a 40-year career in television and the media. I'm naturally inclined to favour this kind of film anyway, but sometimes they can be a bit too agit-prop and worthy. Not in this case. The heart of the film is the people and the power of their mutual support and kindredship/comradeship. It's a community's work of cinematic art. Wish I'd been there! Look at The Happy Lands website, look out for screenings near where you are, and if none are scheduled, ask your local cinema or other venues to show it.

A post from Robert Duncan.