Jean Elie Tackles Postpartum Depression from a Father’s POV in Another Happy Day (Exclusive)

Jean Elie is taking a crash course in parenting.

The Uncertain The alum plays new father Lucien alongside Lauren Lapkus (Joanna). Another happy daycomedy about postpartum depression.

With the Nora Fiffer-directed film now officially available to stream, Elie spoke exclusively to PEOPLE about what he’s learned about fatherhood and how women on set have inspired him to work more effectively.

“I don’t really know too much about postpartum and what it’s like,” Elie tells PEOPLE of his knowledge of mental health before landing the role of Lucien.

Stars who have spoken openly about their struggles with postpartum depression

Jean Elie and Lauren Lapkus in ‘Another Happy Day’.

Gravitas Ventures

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms that can affect new mothers after childbirth can range from mild to severe, with the latter including difficulty bonding with the baby, withdrawing from family and friends, and/or thoughts of harming themselves or the baby.

Elie tells PEOPLE that even though the film is a comedy, it taught him patience.

“It also taught me that, as a man, you can feel lonely in a relationship, even though you planned to do this together. You could feel like you’re on your own trying to raise a child with someone who doesn’t really know how or doesn’t feel their own child sees them,” she says.

Lauren Lapkus in ‘Another Happy Day’.

Gravitas Ventures

“You guys need each other symbiotically and all I can do is try to do as much as possible to make her life easier or help her,” he adds.

The official synopsis describes Joanna as a “complete lunatic” who is “desperate for companionship” after giving birth.

“She’s also an artist and a new mom. But she doesn’t do art and is terrible at taking care of her newborn. Worse, her husband Lucien fancies himself an expert on motherhood,” the synopsis adds.

Lapkus, 39, tells PEOPLE that she “loved Nora’s script right away.”

‘OITNB’ Lauren Lapkus Expects ‘Rainbow’ Baby Girl With Husband Mike Castle: ‘I’m So Grateful’

“Postpartum depression is nuanced and so easy to miss. I am grateful to be a part of this special film that will hopefully spark more discussion about this very common but underrepresented experience,” Jurassic World says the actress.

In the statement of Another happy dayFiffer emphasizes the importance of time while trying to maintain a career or sense of identity outside of motherhood.

‘Another happy day’.

Gravitas Ventures

Working with Fiffer gave Elie the rare opportunity to see an eight-hour day on set.

“I just finished the film, minimum 12 hours a day,” he says. “So to go on set like, ‘We’re going to shoot these takes and we’re going to be done in eight hours so you can go home and have dinner with your family.’ Take some time off after work — Nora was so good at time management.”

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“She came in knowing what she wanted,” Elie tells PEOPLE of what inspired him as an independent filmmaker. “She had her plan for it, and because she had that thought process, it allowed us to get off work at eight o’clock every day.”

Fiffer tells PEOPLE, “I was so lucky to work with this incredible cast. The connection Lauren and Jean discovered as a couple entering parenthood was astounding. One of the most talked about scenes in the film is their intense one word fight scene. Their performances are so deep and sincere that they amaze. In this film, they make you laugh, but they also break your heart.”

Another happy day now streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

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Source: HIS Education