Happy Man Tree Film

Event Information

Have you ever fallen in love with a tree? When a group of Hackney locals discover that a property developer has been granted permission by the Council to fell a huge, much-loved 150-year-old street tree which even has its own name, The Happy Man Tree, they do everything they can to try to save it from the clutches of the chainsaw. 

They've already witnessed the destruction of scores of mature trees by the developer but the Happy Man Tree proves one tree too many.  

The film charts the ups and downs of a nine-month David and Goliath battle from the point of view of the campaigners. It's an unusual, innovatively made film that happens to have a very charismatic London Plane tree as its central character. 

The film raises many issues around the importance of retaining the existing nature in urban re-development schemes; the draconian legal tactics deployed by developers and local councils to suppress local protest; the deep relationships that can be forged between people and natural landmarks - the panel discussion afterwards could address these (and more) issues. 

Following the film there will be a panel discussion with Katy McGahan, Peter Buckingham and Gio Iozzi.

Contributors

Peter Buckingham

We worked with 2015 Turner prize winners the design collective Assemble, along the way. 2020 Happy Man Tree campaign Started and prime mover in the Happy Man Tree protest in North London.

Location of event

The Castle Cinema

First Floor, 64 - 66 Brooksby's Walk, London E9 6DA