Agent of Happiness
Description
Can happiness be measured by points? In a policy woefully simplified by Western media, Bhutan calculates its development by gross national happiness. Embarking on a census-like enterprise, two government officers ask citizens if they are happy. The answer might be yes, if a farmer’s cow gave birth, or no, if a family was denied citizenship. In a journey that is as political as it is personal, people’s revelatory answers lay bare their relationship to Bhutan’s government, its nation state, and monarchy. With stunning cinematography, Agent of Happiness investigates the age-old quest to find the purpose of life—and to derive happiness from fulfilling that purpose.
Film Community Partner
Biographies
Arun Bhattarai began his career as television director for Bhutan Broadcasting Service before striking out on his own as an independent filmmaker. He made his feature debut as co-director with Dorottya Zurbó of The Next Guardian (Festival 2018), winner of the best documentary award at the Vilmos Zsigmond Film Festival. His other films include Dreams of Birds Flying in the Sky (2021) and Mountain Man (2022), which captured the best short documentary prize at DOC NYC.
A native of Budapest, Hungary, Dorottya Zurbó is a teacher at Doc Nomads, as well as a filmmaker. In addition to the two features she co-directed with Arun Bhattarai, she also made Easy Lessons (2018), winner of the Movies that Matter Award and a youth jury special mention at ZagrebDox.