Long Live My Happy Head

Role | Editor, Co-Director, Cinematographer

2022 | Documentary Feature

Funders | BBC Scotland, Screen Scotland, The Open University, Melt the Fly

Distributors | Rise & Shine World Sales, The Film Collaborative, Dartmouth Films

Long Live My Happy Head

“Funny, poignant, and profound, Long Live My Happy Head introduces us to the unique talent, understated wit, and unenviable journey of Gordon Shaw, a Scottish comic book artist who is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in his early 30s. Not the least bit self-pitying but with puckish humor and admirable honesty, Gordon allows the film to accompany him and his long-distance true love Shawn—a sweet American living in Virginia—as they navigate the fragile rollercoaster of health challenges and caregiving amid the onset of COVID.

Gordon’s understated bemusement and inherent comic brilliance leaven the medical scenario with surprising moments that illuminate the realities of living with a terminal illness. In one scene, Gordon turns the relentless, overbearing sounds of an MRI scanner into a danceable soundtrack. Through his smart and funny artwork, Gordon finds an imaginative way to communicate what he’s feeling inside. Despite the ominous subject matter, this brave and somehow inspiring film shines light and love into a world immersed in intense human challenges.” - Frameline Film Festival

Visit: www.longlivemyhappyhead.com

A bit about the process

I spent 4 years making this film alongside Austen McCowan, over this time we became close friends with Gordon and I deeply miss him. The film is my proudest work and I am so pleased to have done it. Everyone involved in the production gave it their all, Alexander Hamilton-Ayres with the original soundtrack, Ross Hogg with the animation and Barbara Toennieshen with the edit, it was working with Barbara that inspired me to pursue doc editing as my main outlet.