Why film director Andrea Malloni’s ‘Life is a Carnival (The Search for Happiness in Havana)’ is a must-watch

Sometimes you just need to take a trip out into the world to find the inner peace you’re looking for. At least that’s the mantra of our protagonist in director Andrea Malloni’s new film Life is a Carnival (The Search for Happiness in Havana). 

Acting as a love letter to the city, Life is a Carnival (The Search for Happiness in Havana) is a documentary about how the art and beauty of the city can heal even the most broken people. Through photos of Malloni’s trips to Havana, she tells a story about pain, loss, and how to overcome. 

Tragedy turns into beauty

Between career, relationship, and health issues, a woman is at her wits end with her life. So she finds herself in Havana to heal. Five years later, after the sudden loss of her father, the woman comes back to Havana, looking to heal once again thanks to the city. 

As director Malloni describes, Life is a Carnival (The Search for Happiness in Havana) “is a celebration of beauty and a reclamation of self and wonder in the midst of ruin. Havana and its generous, joyous, talented inhabitants show us that we are able to find the light in the darkness of loss if we can find the beauty in each moment and in each other.”

A personal story

As Life is a Carnival (The Search for Happiness in Havana) is a documentary, director Andrea Malloni knows the film’s story better than anyone else. Her story is the exact reason she wanted to create this film, as Havana has healed her greatly through her greatest struggles. 

By bringing her trip to life in the form of Life is a Carnival (The Search for Happiness in Havana), Malloni can show off the magic of Havana and the unknown healing powers the culture has for broken souls.

Not only that, but the film also showcases how to find independence even in the face of tragedy. No matter what life threw at Malloni, she was able to find peace once again and help herself return to normal life. 

A moving story

Malloni has moved plenty with her new story. Life is a Carnival (The Search for Happiness in Havana) has won numerous awards since starting its award circuit in 2019, proving the story means a lot to those who watch it.

We all want to escape, especially when life isn’t going our way. So we envy those who travel the world and find peace. But the reality is any of us can do exactly that if we put in the effort.