Maison du Bonheur

Maison du Bonheur is a delightful 2017 Canadian documentary film directed by Sofia Bohdanowicz and features engaging performers such as Juliane Sellam, Albert Eddassouki, and Manouk Kurdoghlian. Unfolding in an unhurried, contemplative manner, Maison du Bonheur invigorates viewers with its intricate, beautifully captured visuals, telling a story marked by charm and a love of life. The film is an excellent amalgamation of exquisitely photographed set pieces, profound human insights, and unconventional storytelling.

The film primarily centers around several weeks in the life of Juliane Sellam, a retired, elegant French astrologer who resided in the same opulent apartment in Paris for over half a century. This turns out to be a fascinating and insightful choice as she brings unique positivity that carries a strong resonance long after the film has ended.

Sellam, who was in her 70s when the film was made, humbly hosts the filmmaker in her dwelling – a home that, frankly, breathes character into every frame, with its vintage chic interiors and enormous character to perform a theatrical rendition of her life's routine.

The intelligent and artistic work of Bohdanowicz brings us closer to what we could describe as a human astronaut, living out her days in her space – Maison du Bonheur, or 'House of Happiness'. The essence that Sellam brings adds an unparalleled depth of humanity to the film's narrative. It solidifies this project's spot among the elite documentary offerings of the year with its intelligent design, generous spirit, and poetically structured narrative.

Also exciting are the performances of the other film's cast, including Albert Eddassouki and Manouk Kurdoghlian. Although their roles are small compared to Sellam's central figure, their work immeasurably enriches the story. Their performances carry with them a sense of exhilarating authenticity, acting as everyday people contributing to the heartwarming tableau that takes place in Sellam's enchanting apartment.

The projection of Maison du Bonheur is a life-essay visualized through stunning 16 mm film, filled with a sequel of still lifes, fervent astrologic readings and a healthy dose of French cuisine. The film explores the microscopic elements that comprise daily life. From unassuming moments like the churning of a coffee maker to studying the planets in astrological charts, director Bohdanowicz explores the universe within one small Parisian apartment – the 'House of Happiness.'

Notably, it takes time to let us adjust to the rhythm and pacing of Sellam's life and everyday routine. This patience pays off multiple times throughout, leading to poignant moments and observations that might seem unremarkable on the surface, but they abruptly hit you with a sense of shared humanity, everyday pleasures, and the beauty of the ordinary moments in life.

Maison du Bonheur is a refreshing film that steers clear of typical dramatic formulas or narratives' traditional flow. Instead, it poetically presents impressions, vignettes, and little moments of joy and revelation, letting its audience reflect upon their own daily routines and spaces they call home. The Maison du Bonheur gently, yet compellingly, forces us to reevaluate life's simplicity. It is more than a film; it's an invitation – an invitation to perceive the world through a more sensual and attentive lens.

This film is an often overlooked jewel that uniquely marries the mundane with the extraordinary, the past with the present, in the universe of the Maison du Bonheur. Truly one of 2017’s unique cinematic experiences, Maison du Bonheur is a warm reflection on the little but significant moments in life. It's a charming exploration of the quiet but passionate existence of one woman in the grand city of Paris, and an examination of how our living spaces shape us and vice versa. It joyfully celebrates life through its lens, depicting that true happiness lies within ourselves and the world we create around us.