The theatrical release of H is for Happiness has been announced with the heartwarming Aussie film coming to cinemas on Thursday, 6th February 2020. Taking out the top prize at CinefestOZ 2019, H is for Happiness, produced by Julie Ryan (Hotel Mumbai, Red Dog), premiered globally at the Melbourne International Film Festival to a standing ovation and roaring reviews.
The feature debut of long-time theatre director, John Sheedy (Mrs McCutcheon), H is for Happiness is led by young Aussie newcomers Daisy Axon and Wesley Pattern, with a stellar supporting cast including Richard Roxburgh (Moulin Rouge, Hawke), Emma Booth (Once Upon a Time) and Joel Jackson (Jungle, The Boy Next Door). Also in the film is Miriam Margoyles, best known for her role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter franchise, as well as award-winning actress Deborah Mailman (The Sapphires, Total Control, Offspring), 2019 winner for AACTA's Best Lead Actress in a TV Drama.
Based on the young adult novel My Life as an Alphabet, by Australian author Barry Jonsberg, adapted for the screen by writer/producer Lisa Hoppe, H is for Happiness follows Candice Phee, an unflinchingly honest and optimistic twelve-year-old who is determined to bring her dysfunctional family back from the brink. Her exploits will inspire and delight anyone who has faced the trials of adolescence and the heartbreak of family tragedy.
Set to become an Aussie family favourite, H is for Happiness is a coming of age film that explores themes of first love, family relationships, loss and grief in a truly unique and lighthearted way. H is for Happiness releases in cinemas 6 February, 2020.
Question: Can you tell us about H is for Happiness?
Daisy Axon: H is for Happiness is based on a young adult novel called My Life as an Alphabet by Barry Jonsberg. The story is about 12-year-old Candice Phee who has a unique view of the world and she has a lot of optimism. Candice Phee meets a young boy named Douglas Benson at school who is similar to her and together they try to figure out her family and find happiness.
Question: What made you want to audition for H is for Happiness?
Daisy Axon: I knew My Life as an Alphabet as my sister read the book in primary school and loved it so much she recommended I read it, I loved it too especially because I could relate to the characters. I laughed through My Life as an Alphabet months before the H is for Happiness audition. When the audition email was sent I was gob-smacked that one of my favourite books would be a film that I got a chance to audition for.
It's crazy to think back to a few years ago when I would visit the library to borrow the My Life as an Alphabet book and now I can pick up a copy with my face on the cover!
Question: How did you prepare for the role of Candice Phee before filming?
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