Agent of Happiness
How is happiness measured? Can satisfaction with one’s life be rated on a scale from one to ten? The Kingdom of Bhutan’s famous – and highly exoticized – government policy measuring its nation’s Gross National Happiness operates on the idea that the basic tenets of fulfillment can and should be quantified when calculating their nation’s development. Happiness Agent Amber Gurung embarks throughout the Himalayan mountains to survey the contentment of citizens from different households and lifestyles. While Amber dutifully administers this census, he too is forced to confront his own struggles with fulfillment, and question what makes him happy.
A “quiet, gently absorbing documentary” (The Guardian) AGENT OF HAPPINESS is a holistic exploration of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness index, using “meaningful visual contrast to scrutinize Bhutan’s narrative about itself,” (Variety). Filmmakers Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó carefully craft a visually stunning, tender narrative around the age-old quest to find the purpose of life.
Cast
- Amber Kumar Gurung
- Guna Raj Kuikel
DVD Features
Discs: 1
- "Melodic and meaningful. Calming and humanizing...."
- "It boasts all the hallmarks of an audience-friendly documentary; an intriguing story, a likeable protagonist, stunning cinematography and an accessible tone. Heartfelt...."
- "The quiet, intimate charms of Agent of Happiness pulse from poignant collective consideration, filtered through the personal experience of a professional happiness inspector."
- "[A] film that quietly, intimately observes the lives of ordinary people."
- "A slow-burning portrait that’s infused with warmth."
- "In AGENT OF HAPPINESS, Bhattarai and Zurbó have gifted us with a charming, heartfelt moment spent with the people of Bhutan, where, despite the efforts of the government, happiness can’t be quantified. As with people everywhere, it comes in brief, golden moments of connection with others who brighten their lives and give them meaning."
- "A complex, observant, and bittersweet look at the nature of fulfilment viewed through the infrequently glimpsed lens of Bhutanese culture."
- "This is a lovely and kind documentary that handles big subjects with an unusual amount of honesty."
- "Agent of Happiness offers an intriguing look at the process by which one measures happiness."
Awards & Recognition
Audience Award
San Francisco Int'l. Film Festival
Best Documentary Feature
San Francisco Int'l. Film Festival
Grand Jury Prize
Sundance Film Festival
Best Scientific Documentary
Docville
CPHDOX
Hot Docs Int'l. Documentary Film Festival
Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
True/False Film Festival