Happy Pills

A worker from Niger, a student from the US, and a bodybuilder from India. They come from different parts of the world and cope with different life situations, yet they have something in common – they overcome obstacles in their life path with the help of chemistry. Medicines have been around since time immemorial. Nowadays, however, they are ubiquitous and affect all stages of human life. From hormonal contraceptives to antidepressants, from painkillers to anabolic steroids, tablets of all colours and shapes help people overcome fatigue, suppress fear, persevere and succeed regardless of the causes of their difficulties. Filmmakers Arnaud Robert and Paolo Woods set out to shoot in six countries worldwide to present the stories of people whose lives are inextricably linked to the pharmaceutical industry’s products. Pills seemingly offer an instant solution to all problems. But can they also bring us happiness? (One World)