Agent of Happiness

Directed by Arun Bhattarai, Dorottya Zurbó
Arun Bhattarai, Dorottya Zurbó
Film Movement
2024
94 Minutes
Bhutan, Hungary
Nepali, Dzongkha, English
Documentary, Asian
Not Rated
Theatrical booking
Erin Farrell
erin@filmmovement.com
Festival and non-theatrical booking
Erin Farrell
erin@filmmovement.com
Materials and print traffic
Erin Farrell
erin@filmmovement.com

Synopsis

Amber is one of the many agents working for the Bhutanese government to measure people’s happiness levels among the remote Himalayan mountains. But will he find his own along the way?

AGENT OF HAPPINESS offers a unique take on the notoriously exoticized Bhutan and its unusual happiness policy. We follow Amber as he investigates various expressions of contentment across different households and lifestyles while navigating his own struggle as a Nepali minority. The holistic philosophy at the heart of the survey he conducts challenges the conventional metrics of fulfillment and success, often provoking some deeper soul-searching. The filmmakers elegantly capture many tender moments between Amber and his interlocutors, as well as some very revealing conversations filled with unflinching honesty and quiet wisdom.

Through its carefully crafted narrative, the film resonates as a heartfelt exploration of happiness in the face of adversity. As Amber grapples with societal disparities and personal roadblocks while searching for love, this story becomes a beautifully realized reminder to count our blessings.

Hi Res Photos