Documentary directed by Edu Felisto that debuts at the 49th São Paulo International Film Festival and proposes the practice as a response to the stress of modern life
Be Happy for No Reasona documentary that proposes a literal and symbolic pause to rethink the relationship between productivity, presence and well-being, will have its world premiere on October 25th, within the 49th São Paulo International Film Festival, before reaching cinemas on October 30th and on the Aquarius platform on November 14th. This is the first national original feature film from Aquarius, a new Brazilian streaming service focused on content about health, science, art and the environment.
What is it about?
How to escape the rush that dictates the rhythm of the days? The alarm clock goes off, the coffee gets cold, the notifications pile up — and the feeling is always urgent. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 19 million Brazilians suffer from anxiety disorders, one of the highest rates in the world. It is in this context of collective exhaustion that the film, directed by Edu Felistoque and produced by Felistoque Cinema.
“I wanted to make a contemporary film, demystifying meditation. With irreverence and dynamism, and with a secular and scientific perspective, I show that you can meditate anywhere”, explains the director Felistoque.
The story follows the doctor and influencer Rafael Grattawhich takes the audience on a journey through the history and transformations of meditation in Brazil. Creator of the MFMA protocol (“More Focus, Less Anxiety”) and followed by more than 3.7 million people on social media, Gratta sets out to investigate how the practice, previously seen as mystical or alternative, began to occupy increasingly larger spaces in contemporary society — including in schools, prisons and companies.
In his speech in the film, Rafael Gratta reflects on the personal impact of the process: “Meditation went from being something I ‘do’ to becoming part of how I ‘am’. Mindfulness isn’t just sitting in silence for a few minutes — it’s a way of being in the world. Genuine happiness does not depend on external circumstances, but on the quality of our attention to the present moment.”
To Gabriel Wainerdirector of Aquarius, the documentary represents the beginning of a new phase for the platform. “This first film created by Aquarius is a milestone that reflects our commitment to transforming mental health into accessible films for everyone. It is the first of many that we will do together with Felistoque”, he states.
With contemplative images, inspiring testimonials and a scientific look at the mind and body, Be Happy for No Reason proposes more than a cinematic experience — it is an invitation to slow down and find meaning in the simple act of breathing.
Illustrious participations
The documentary brings together interviews with names like Monja Coen, Kleber Tani and the Shaman Luã Apykáfrom the Tabaçu Reko Ypy village, in addition to famous practitioners such as Angélica, Juliana Paes, Fernanda Lima, Mariana Ximenes, Luciano Szafir, Marcelo Serradoand athletes Bruninho and Carlos Burle. Among the topics covered are the arrival of Japanese Buddhism in Brazil in the 1950s, Zazen and Transcendental practices, and even an unusual comparison between capoeira and yogarevealing connections between body, mind and spirituality.
READ ALSO: 49th São Paulo Film Festival: Follow Rolling Stone Brasil’s coverage
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Be Happy for No Reason
Source: Rollingstone
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
