Happy Valley

In select theaters
November 21^st 2014

98 minutes

In English

Amir Bar-Lev’s documentary HAPPY VALLEY takes an unflinching look at an iconic American institution in the wake of unthinkable scandal. Nestled in the idyllic area known as Happy Valley lies the town of State College and the home of Penn State University. For over 40 years, Joe Paterno was the celebrated head coach of the school's storied football team. Lauded not only for his program's success on the field, but also for students’ achievements in the classroom, Paterno was a revered figure in a town where team loyalty approached nationalistic fervor. Then in November 2011 everything changed when longtime assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was charged with 40 counts of child sex abuse, setting off a firestorm of accusations about who failed to protect the children of Happy Valley. Filmed over the course of the year after Sandusky’s arrest as key players agreed to share their stories, HAPPY VALLEY deconstructs the story we think we know to uncover a much more complicated and tragic tale. Director Bar-Lev creates an indelible portrait of a wounded community and an engrossing investigation into the role big time college football played in both the crimes and their aftermath.

starring...

Matt Sandusky

Jay Paterno

Suzanne Paterno

Director

Amir Bar-Lev

Producers

John Battsek, Ken Dornstein, Jonathan Koch, Steven Michaels

Cinematography

Sean Kirby, Nelson Hume

Editing

Dan Swietlik, David Zieff, Brian Funck

Co-Producer

Ezekiel Morgan

Music

H. Scott Salinas

88% on the CINEMETER

STL

89% - Nov 9, 2014

Almost everyone should see this film. It illustrates a problem that pervades the fabric of our society. There is an incredible tendency to deny reality to comfort ourselves with simplistic black and white beliefs. The shortcoming was it failed to explore the central issue that we need to understand better! Why do people sexually abuse children?
St. Louis Member

A wonderfully nuanced look at a complicated issue. When something so horrible happens in society it's hard to take a look at what surrounds the events, to see where else responsibility also lies. A hard look and it's easier to close our eyes, and absolve ourselves. We are still good; we are not responsible.
St. Louis Member

Wow! The story/scandal is so amazing in all the incredibly different opinions and "truths." Thought the filmmaker did a great job showcasing all the different sides. Very informative and well told. unbelievable what people will look past for a winning record.
St. Louis Member

So much to say about this. This was a great movie. Definitely showed how the people in State College still don't get it. This case was about sexual assault, not football. But unfortunately the NCAA doesn't get that either.
St. Louis Member

A great piece of documentary film. Uses this tragedy to highlight the American ethos. Aspects that totally got to me were:
--clips of Joe P's statue
--the statement that we need spectacles to focus our energy
--the truth that such a situation has o clear moral certainty that we so much want.

St. Louis Member

ATL

91% - Nov 9, 2014

While I would rather eat dirt than watch football, I really enjoyed this film and the story told. (MHB: 1 like this: e.g. "Hate football more than anyone--but fascinating doc, well done").
Atlanta Member

I was totally captivated! (MHB: four more like this, e.g., "terrific," "riveting," "very well done," very tight, well constructed documentary").
Atlanta Member

Exposes so well the pervasiveness of double standards and hypocrisy that runs through our and other societies . . . . the cover-ups, the lies,
Atlanta Member

Disturbing in its complexity--so many parts of society indicated--the media, Paterno, the College students, etc.--what can we believe in?
Atlanta Member

We are justified in expecting our leaders to be good. We can't expect them to be perfect. When we put them on pedestals (literally), or paint halos over their heads, they will fall. You don't erase the history of a man who does great good, after he shows his humanity by making even a serious mistake.
Atlanta Member

A great exposition of multiple points of view, but I think the film suffers from not taking a more definitive viewpoint of its own, which diminishes its impact.
Atlanta Member

Such sure handed plotting--a great example of "show, don't tell."
Atlanta Member

Atlanta Member

MIL

86% - Nov 9, 2014

Good documentary! Great thought-provoking movie.
Milwaukee Member

Really well done doc on the situation as a whole.
Milwaukee Member

Fascinating but I wish that there was even more about the effect of everything on the various inhabitants: students, towns people, football players.
Milwaukee Member

Good but too long--needs editing.
Milwaukee Member

Interesting but a little long.
Milwaukee Member

What a sad story and what a moral dilemma it raises.
Milwaukee Member

This was a nice film that raises interesting questions. The film was too long and dragged on at the end.
Milwaukee Member

90% - Nov 2, 2014

All around excellent. Terrific 360-degree coverage of a very polarizing event. Good job of highlighting the group-think that exists on both sides of a complicated and unknowable situation.
San Francisco Member

One of the scariest movies about human nature I have ever seen. The cinematography was so beautiful as to add a fitting element of the surreal to the bright lights of football culture.
San Francisco Member

Provocative and illuminating. A very well-balanced film. It restored a measure of Paterno's reputation for caring for and graduating his students, without minimizing his fatal mistake. He was human.
San Francisco Member

Thank you for bringing John Branch as a guest. Funny and informative. I am not a major sports fan however this was an excellent and thought-provoking film.
San Francisco Member

The film made me feel hopeful for Matt Sandusky, but not for the town of Happy Valley. The film exposes the peril of sports turning into a religion. Guest speaker and discussion afterward were wonderful and insightful.
San Francisco Member

88% - Nov 2, 2014

Riveting! Disturbing! Well done! (Michael’s note: many cards used some or all of those words).
Greater New Haven Member

Very balanced presentation of a complex story. (Michael’s note: many cards included praise for the film’s balanced approach; on the other hand, some audience members thought that the film should have taken more of a stand.)
Greater New Haven Member

Thought-provoking film that touched on the nature of history and how it is written; groupthink and crowd behavior; cult of personality. Regarding Paterno, this quote from Shakespeare comes to mind: “The evil that men do lives after them, but the good is oft interred with their bones.”
Greater New Haven Member

Well-presented film from every angle. Mass denial and need for mass spectacles and icons are always worrisome. Odd to revise history (erasing Paterno’s wins). An excellent portrayal of a victim’s state of mind – one of the best I’ve seen. The mural artist was a great touchpoint.
Greater New Haven Member

While it may not have been a ‘Happy’ film watching experience, it was quite a unique documentary about sports with religious undertones and without being overly judgmental. Penn State’s colors may be blue and white, but nothing is black and white.
Greater New Haven Member

A well-made documentary that asks more questions than it answers. It is ok to revise history? What consequences help/hinder victims? How do we honor and yet give voice to the imperfections of our heroes?
Greater New Haven Member

I feel bad for the team, the students, and the community, but it is impossible to express the pain I feel for those young people who have to live with their victimization. The Penn State administration and Joe Paterno had it coming. Disgusting. Thank you for this film; it’s important and I hope that it gets a wide release.
Greater New Haven Member

82% - Nov 2, 2014

I'm so NOT a football fan - that being said - this film was provocative and the subject matter was overwhelmingly sad. Really, there were no winners here - so, lets ban football . . .
Washington, DC Member

The artist had the right perspective - Joe Paterno was human. He made a huge mistake. The film was very well done and presented both sides very well.
Washington, DC Member

I'm struck by the difference in the reactions of Paterno's sons. I have no interest in football or understanding of it's appeal, but this was a much bigger issue and engaged my interest.
Washington, DC Member

Surprisingly objective and even-handed in the unfolding of the story given the volatility of the subject matter. Well-paced, well-edited.
Washington, DC Member

Fabulous journalism with amazingly articulate principles. I loved Matt Sandusky and his honesty and courage.
Washington, DC Member

BOS

89% - Nov 2, 2014

Brilliant documentary in the way it was constructed. Wow-- what a study in complexity. A deep and multifaceted exploration of culture, community.
Boston Member

Very thought provoking. Very enlightening. Well done.
Boston Member

Outstanding treatment of the cult of football.
Boston Member

ONE OF THE BEST DOCUMENTARIES I'VE EVER SEEN!
Boston Member

Even-handed handling of a shocking event. Wasn't expecting to like it but I did. Excellent presentation of a problem.
Boston Member

Music Box Films