Some Happy Day

This is a story of resilience and connection, and of how society fails so many women and children. Why are there women sleeping rough on our streets when we live in an affluent city, in an affluent country?

Beautifully shot on the streets of St Kilda and in country Daylesford this movie gives us a glimpse into the life of a woman who has never had secure housing. A product of childhood trauma and abuse, she has no concept of the comforts that many of us take for granted.

While highlighting the violence and prejudice experienced while living on the streets, the movie also displays the supportive connections that can be made and possible pathways to a safer and more secure future. Secure housing for all is the most economical decision governments can make.

A brilliant debut film for writer and director, Catherine Hill. She elicits strong performances from her cast and treats the subject with empathy and respect. Cameron Zayec's cinematography is a delight, making this a beautiful film to watch. Highly recommended.

Some Happy Day is beautiful, as is producer Catherine Hill.

Set primarily in St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, Some Happy Day is a beautiful reflection on most Melbourne days and nights, where Catherine has worked tirelessly, as have many others, in helping people in crisis.

This is an exquisite film about people. And how they respond to St Kilda's Luna Park's Big Dipper of Life. Where the length of the ride and its destination remains uncertain.

What a joy to see good local Australian stories told with the love they deserve. And with such high, intimate cinematic quality

If you have not experienced addiction, violence, homeless or the many other myriad of life's tripwires, some Happy Day may be an easy way to begin understanding these issues. Understand in ways I still cannot.

Some Happy Day, with bias from me I disclose below, is a great film.

Thank you Catherine, your lovely, talented screen writer partner Abe and others who give so much and ask so little

Disclosure: Catherine Hill and I have been friends since ~2000, when we had the great fortune to be selected for an 18 month Vincent Fairfax Ethics Fellowship, run by the St James Ethics Centre. I am an anonymous film extra in Acland St St Kilda, where the extent of my contribution earned me anonymity. My beautiful four legged friend, Hannah, was to feature in the film, but my being away in Europe meant Catherine had to chase up the gorgeous Shepherd, that in my my closely held opinion, is the true star of the film.

David Risstrom.

A really compelling and watchable drama about such an important and topical subject in Australia (let alone globally). Some Happy Day has some incredible performances, is wonderfully shot and is underpinned by a great soundtrack. Its great to see Australian talent manifest in such an important body of work. Film making in Australia continues to come of age - thoroughly recommended!

This is such an important Australian story. I wish it could to be shown to every politician and aired at every school in Australia. It's an incredibly sensitive, nuanced and insightful account of the life of a homeiess woman, with a stunning performance by Peta Brady who brings a quiet sense of dignity and humanity to her character. I was so impressed to learn that both Peta and director Catherine Hill have worked in homeiess social services. It's clear that the film has been made with a lot of heart, generosity, compassion and insight. I hope it gets wide distribution and all the accolades it deserves.

I was fortuitous to see Some Happy Day at the magnificent Classic Cinema last night. I absolutely loved it, and can't stop thinking about this film and it's reality. I admired the parallel stories and the music was outstanding. This movie has to get a bigger release to enable all Melbornian's/Australian's to have the opportunity to watch, and to feel empathy and understanding and to take action to incite change with homelessness.

I often walk those streets in St. Kilda, eat at those cafes, watch the buskers, walk to that popular beach and the surrounds. Most people wouldn't know what goes on, but this movie alerts us all to the fact that we have to do more to support homeless people, not only with adequate housing, but with everything that matters in life. Thank you to Catherine and Abe and the whole team that brought this movie into our lives. A huge thank you to all the workers at the Crisis Centre - what amazing people!

I was very proud of Peter George and JMC Academy's involvement. So many people were involved in the making. Congratulations to all of you.

The Q&A after the movie was inspiring. Thank you, brilliantly filmed and portrayed.