To better understand the essence of happiness, filmmaker Nathalie Hébert speaks with Lucien Comeau, a musician and “philosopher of the everyday” who lives in Tracadie-Sheila, New Brunswick. This simple, informal portrait nonetheless moves beyond conventional, preconceived ideas to offer profound insights into the meaning of life and success.
What is the recipe for happiness? Are its ingredients universal? In this touching documentary portrait, director Nathalie Hébert introduces us to the delightful Lucien Comeau, a “philosopher of the everyday” who lives in Tracadie-Sheila, New Brunswick.
Passionate about nature, a musician and a believer in voluntary simplicity, Lucien shares his unique vision of the world with generosity, authenticity and humour. Clam-digging, gardening, family get-togethers, boating on the river, camping in the woods… he invites us to share in all the pleasures of his day-to-day life, both great and small. Some moments inspire songs, others prompt reflection on the meaning of life beyond society’s preconceived notions of money and success. Under the empathetic gaze of the filmmaker, this endearing man, a nonconformist and an outsider, becomes our guide on the path to our own definition of happiness.
Shot in just four days, Le bonheur de Lucien (Lucien’s Happiness) is Nathalie Hébert’s first short film. It was produced by Christine Aubé at the Canadian Francophonie Studio – Acadie, as part of the 10th Tremplin Program competition, organized by the NFB in collaboration with Radio-Canada.
Born in Tracadie-Sheila, New Brunswick, in 1954, Lucien Comeau is a working man, a volunteer, and a philosopher of the everyday. At the age of 30 he began to create songs about his day-to-day life, accompanying himself on guitar. Passionate about nature, and a believer in voluntary simplicity, he has released three record albums: En montant la rivière (Canoeing Upriver), L’écriture de la nature (The Writing of Nature), and Ce qu’on a dans le cœur (What You Have in Your Heart). He does not consider himself an artist, but he enjoys bringing people together for an evening meal and an intimate musical performance, to share his happiness with the community.
With the participation of
Lucien Comeau
Clovis Breau
Priest Serge Comeau
Linda Sonier
Sylvio Comeau
Aldéo Comeau
Achille Comeau
Denis Brideau
Howard Hall
Researched, written and directed by
Nathalie Hébert
Assistant Director
Renée Blanchar
Story Consultant
Paul Émile d’Entremont
Camera
Geoffroy Beauchemin
Mario Paulin
Location Sound
Dennis Morton
Production Manager
Julie d’Amour Léger
Editing
Marie Hamelin
Sound Editing
Paul Goguen, Connections Productions
Sound Mixing
Paul Goguen, Studio Révoluson
Online Editing
Denis Pilon
Infographics and Titles
Cynthia Ouellet
Subtitles
MELS
Foley
Simon Meilleur
Foley Recording
Geoffrey Mitchell
Original Music
Daniel Toussaint
© 2019 Office national du film du Canada (SOCAN)
Musicians
Daniel Toussaint
Pierre-André Nadeau
Original Songs
“ON MANGE D’L’ORIGNAL c’t’HIVER
written, composed and interpreted by Lucien Comeau
“CE QU’ON A DANS LE COEUR”
written, composed and interpreted by Lucien Comeau
“RENDRE CE QU’ON A PERDU”
written, composed and interpreted by Lucien Comeau
“EN MONTANT LA RIVIÈRE”
written, composed and interpreted by Lucien Comeau
Marketing Manager
Judith Lessard-Bérubé
Administrator/Line Producer
Geneviève Duguay
Production Coordinator
Audrey Rétho
Technical Coordinators
Daniel Claveau
Jean-François Laprise
Video Technical Support
Patrick Trahan
Isabelle Painchaud
Pierre Dupont
Legal Counsel
Peter Kallianiotis
Producer
Christine Aubé
Executive Producer
Denis McCready
Executive Director
Michèle Bélanger
Produced as part of the Tremplin 2018 initiative
French Program
Canadian Francophonie Studio – Acadie
Produced by the
National Film Board of Canada