Screened as part of NZIFF 2013

Happy Everyday: Park Life in China 2013

Directed by Peter O'Donoghue

Sydney-based New Zealander Peter O’Donoghue shot, directed and edited this ambivalent, entertaining picture of senior calisthenics and other recreational activity in the leafy public parks of Shanghai and Beijing.

Australia In Mandarin with English subtitles
52 minutes DCP

Director, Screenplay, Photography, Editor

Producers

Philippa Campey
,
Sarah Wishart
,
Peter O’Donoghue

Sound

Pete Smith
,
Pete Best

Music

Melissa Hunt

With

Chen Hong
,
Qian Jinhua
,
Wang Jianzhong
,
Yao Yuexia
,
Fan Zhiying
,
Nizi
,
Xiao Yu
,
Lao Liu
,
Cheng Dage
,
Wang Ji
,
Tiantan Huzi Wuzhe

Best known for his collaborations with Florian Habicht, most recently as editor on Love Story, Sydney-based New Zealander Peter O’Donoghue shot, directed and edited this entertaining, ambivalent picture of recreational activity in the leafy public parks of Shanghai and Beijing. Wittily cut to the lilt of Viennese waltzes or the beat of Chinese pop broadcast from the park tannoys, his footage of retirees engaged in vigorous group calisthenics brims with their exuberance and the joyous nuttiness of the cultural anomalies. There are some marvellous displays of senior fitness, and some sharp dance moves too. And, a few show ponies excepted, no one seems inhibited by any fear of appearing silly or undignified. However, if asked the simplest questions about their well-being, the happy pensioners exhibit a lifetime’s habit of self-censorship, even congratulating themselves for saying nothing that might cause them any trouble. Orchestrating their voices into his visual poem of park activity, O’Donoghue makes his point succinctly without ever raising his own.