Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness

Playfully updating the 1950's school documentary, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" offers up political and social satire regarding the current state of reproductive rights in a fast-paced spoonful. Found-footage, animation and original images are interwoven into a collage containing the fictional stories of a conservative politician, a young couple, and a fundamentalist activist (portrayed by Survival Research Laboratories founder Mark Pauline) along with the decline in amphibian populations and the insidious creeping erosion of reproductive rights in the United States. All linked together through a Chinese dry cleaner.

Awards

TV Brodcast on The Sundance Channel, Oct & Nov, 2006
Inclusion in the Sundance Collection at UCLA, 2004
Best Documentary Short Film: Moab Film Festival
Jurors Citation: Black Maria Film Festival
Finalist: USA Film Festival: National Short Film & Video Competition
Affiliate Excellence Award from Planned Parenthood Federation
Golden Gate Award Official Selection
Honorable Mention for Best Women's Short Film Category at the Cleveland International Film Festival

Reviews

"It has an important message that needs to be heard whether or not you agree with it." Doug Brunell, Film Threat

"Brilliantly woven pastiche that combines archival and original footage in a highly amusing but incisive examination of the fight for reproductive choice." Time Out New York

Related article Beth Lisick, San Francisco Chronicle

Screenings

Sundance Film Festival 2003
Rotterdam International Film Festival 2003
American Film Institute Film Festival 2002
Aspen Shortsfest 2003
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2003
San Francisco International Film Festival 2003
USA Film Festival 2003
Nashville Film Festival 2003
Atlanta Film Festival 2003
Black Maria Film Festival 2003
SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival 2003
Lunafest Film Festival 2003
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2003
Ohio Independent Film Festival 2004
Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival 2003
The Florida Room Documentary Film Festival 2004
Sonoma Film Festival 2004
Cleveland Film Festival- 2004
Portland International Film Festival 2004
12th International Women's Film Festival FEMINALE Cologne, Germany Oct, 2004