Long Live My Happy Head

Directed by Austen McCowan

An uplifting documentary about coping with inoperable cancer may sound unlikely, but here it is. Gordon was diagnosed eight years ago and began using the medium of queer comic books to confront his feelings and fears. He employs humour to get to the heart of taboos surrounding death and disease, weaving many of the wonderful carers and nurses he meets into his expressively illustrated world. Sage, sweet, and stimulating, it is also a long-distance love story between Edinburgh and Virginia, USA. We could all learn a thing or two about love, life – and death – from Gordon.