Italian Prisoners Perform Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’, The Resulting Video Appears Oddly Uplifting

‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams has been inspiring many people to actually start experiencing the emotion via song and dance. But one of the least likely places where happiness reigns is got to be a prison. Still, a correctional facility in Italy released a video that features Pharrell Williams ‘Happy’ song with a twist. The inmates perform the dance steps, while doing menial chores.

A prison is undoubtedly one of the drabbest and boring, not to mention dangerous and depressing places on earth. Inmates have a very strict regime that often starts at the crack of the dawn. However, modern correctional facilities strongly believe in offering a second chance to the prisoners to improve or better themselves while they serve time.

Perhaps this is what happened at the Casa Circondariale Luigi Bodenza prison in Sicily. The video was made with the blessing of prison officials because, the Pharrell Williams’ insanely famous composition is performed not just by prison inmates, but also has prison guards and staff too. It starts with an inmate cleaning the floor and according to a message at the start of the video, proceeds to show that

“Even inside it is possible to take part in the global movement for happiness”.

An introductory message says: “It’s the story of a dream – to try to be carefree – even behind bars,” before the video starts, which is called ‘Happy Dentro’, or ‘Happy Inside’. The film starts with a prisoner saying, “Today the sunlight is here, so take a break”, reported The NY Daily News.

The video is oddly uplifting to watch as it is considered to be first of its kind known to be made inside a prison and shows inmates dancing along as they work out at the gym, use computers to keep in touch with loved ones or read books in the library. However, this is certainly not the first time convicts have been used in a music video. About 1500 male inmates at Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a maximum security prison in the Philippines, participated in a rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘This is it – They don’t care about us’, reported The Mirror.

Pharrell Williams, with his ‘Happy’ song, has certainly inspired a revolution that forces people take a positive look at life. He has indeed received a phenomenal response to the song. Will Pharrell receive an equally overwhelming reaction to his new creative composition now that Miley Cyrus has joined him?

[Image Credit | CATANIAOGGI via YouTube]