While there isn't a single Netflix documentary titled "El arte de la felicidad" (The Art of Happiness), the platform hosts several high-profile films and series featuring the and themes of emotional well-being that align with his famous teachings. Additionally, a separate 2025 European drama series titled El arte de la felicidad
Directed by , this six-episode Italian production is based on the posthumous cult novel by Goliarda Sapienza. It tells the transgressive life story of Modesta , a woman born into poverty in early 20th-century Sicily who defies every social, religious, and sexual boundary of her time to find her own version of "joy". Plot & Themes: More Than Just a Period Piece
El arte de la felicidad (The Art of Happiness) is a 2016 Brazilian animated drama directed by Roberto Berliner and produced by TV Zero. Unlike mainstream family-oriented animations, this film targets an adult audience, exploring deep philosophical themes such as impermanence, suffering, self-discovery, and the true nature of happiness. The narrative follows Sulamit, a young woman who leaves her family’s oppressive home in Rio de Janeiro to find meaning, eventually landing in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in India. The film is notable for its minimalistic animation style, its dialogue-light narrative, and its profound existential inquiry.
Valeria Golino uses a lush, almost operatic visual style to capture the contrast between the sun-drenched Sicilian landscapes and the dark, claustrophobic interiors of the convent and the villa. This visual language reinforces the theme of . Conclusion
La historia sigue a Modesta, una joven siciliana nacida en una familia pobre a principios del siglo XX. Tras una tragedia familiar, es acogida en un convento, pero su espíritu rebelde la lleva a desafiar las normas sociales y religiosas de la época para buscar su propio camino hacia la plenitud.