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Happy Jail

  • TV Series
  • 2019–
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
288
YOUR RATING
Happy Jail (2019)
This five-part docu-series goes inside the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a unique Philippine jail where dancing is part of the inmates' exercise and rehabilitation. CPDRC shot to worldwide fame when its 2007 performance of "Thriller" went viral, but ten years later it faces intense scrutiny when an ex-convict is hired to run it.
Play trailer1:29
2 Videos
2 Photos
Documentary

The Philippine jail known for a viral Michael Jackson dance video comes under the management of an ex-convict, sparking controversy and criticism.The Philippine jail known for a viral Michael Jackson dance video comes under the management of an ex-convict, sparking controversy and criticism.The Philippine jail known for a viral Michael Jackson dance video comes under the management of an ex-convict, sparking controversy and criticism.

  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    288
    YOUR RATING
    • 9User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Episodes5

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    TopTop-rated1 season2019

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:29
    Official Trailer
    Happy Jail
    Trailer 1:27
    Happy Jail
    Happy Jail
    Trailer 1:27
    Happy Jail

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    User reviews9

    6.9288
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    Featured reviews

    5cathmitchell-44705

    Fairly interesting

    Even though we are oversaturated with jail docs, this is still quite an interesting look at a unique jail in the Philippines. The slight down side is the lack of subtitles sometimes!
    10txsunlvr

    Awesomeness

    This is a fantastic documentary. I think what the governor and the consultant are doing for the inmates is wonderful. I don't understand what the ex governors issue is. Happy inmates equals a better place for all concerned
    8fortwheny

    Surely won't waste your time

    At first, i was skeptical of how they were going to keep this running for 5 episodes. But wow did they surprise me! The show had interesting subjects and unexpected action.
    6ericozu

    Weird

    This doc is pretty much a mess, though it is entertaining at times. It gives you a very real look into how ridiculous the politics are in the Philippines and how people seem to fail upwards on the institutional ladders. The authorities, including the consultant, are incompetent (the actual warden of the jail seems like a half-wit) and their critics are insincere and probably corrupt. The doc itself found lots of ways to waste time as it was obvious they didn't get a whole lot of substance from the inmates. Still, the events in the doc are so weird and absurd that you actually come away enlightened in spite of a lack of actual insight on the part of the filmmakers. I don't think the creators really knew what they wanted to say here and it shows. Besides the wish-washy nature of the final product here, the only drawback may be a very real wasted opportunity to show how miserable and broken the "justice" system is in the Philippines. They made it out to be a gossipy party-center. I bet most prisons in that country are worse than a nightmare especially considering you can spend years there without ever seeing the inside of a courtroom.
    9kntafetsos

    amazing....

    An rare opportunity to watch the lives of others, less privileged peoplle of this planet, and feel greatfull for the things we all take for granted. Breathtaking, refreashing, alerting. Well done Netfilx.

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    • Release date
      • August 14, 2019 (United States)
    • Also known as
      • かくも楽しきムショ暮らし
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