Happy

Filmmaker Michael Patrick McKinley’s Happy tells the story of a man who lost a loved one and was able to overcome his grief and depression through art. Leonard "Porkchop" Zimmerman grew up in Augusta, GA. His parents described him as a joyous, curious, and very active boy who had a talent for art at an early age. After high school, Leonard attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he found love with Brian Malone. The pair lived together in Atlanta for several years until Brian died from a severe strain of meningitis, after which Leonard returned home to his family and began sketching as a therapeutic way of expressing his feelings of pain. Leonard joined Artzilla, a local art group, made friends, and began to paint; Leonard signed his name "Porkchop," the nickname given to him by Brian. After several successful art shows—featuring his robots displaying heartfelt emotions—Leonard decided to begin a "Happy" campaign, painting posters and creating stickers that wound up all over the world. While Leonard recognizes that his recovery will be ongoing, he has also come to realize that he can choose to be happy. An inspirational story, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Root)