Tel Aviv-based sales company Cinephil has recently acquired the world rights for the captivating documentary “Agent of Happiness.” This film offers an insightful exploration of the picturesque Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan. With its premiere scheduled at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Documentary competition, “Agent of Happiness” promises to be an enriching cinematic experience.
Co-directed by Arun Bhattarai, a Bhutanese filmmaker, and Hungary’s own Dorottya Zurbó, “Agent of Happiness” centers around the life of Amber, a 40-year-old man working for the Bhutanese government as an agent responsible for measuring the nation’s Gross National Happiness. Introduced in the late 1990s, the Gross National Happiness Index is a unique socioeconomic indicator designed to ensure that economic development does not disrupt traditional ways of life. Despite his role as a happiness agent, Amber, who still resides with his elderly mother, remains a hopeless romantic in search of his own happiness.
Throughout the documentary, Bhattarai and Zurbó accompany Amber on a cross-country road trip, offering viewers glimpses into the lives of various Bhutanese citizens from different walks of life. This extraordinary journey provides a deep understanding of the Bhutanese culture and showcases the ever-elusive concept of happiness.
Cinephil’s managing directors, Suzanne Nodale and Shoshi Korman, expressed their enthusiasm for the film, stating, “‘Agent of Happiness’ is such a gem in the world of documentaries. It’s an out-of-the-ordinary journey, both humorous and cinematic, led by an unforgettable character that challenges and reshapes our understanding of happiness.”
The filmmakers, Bhattarai and Zurbó, were honored by Cinephil’s involvement. Their previous Bhutan-themed documentary, “The Next Guardian,” premiered at Amsterdam’s IDFA docs fest in 2017, further establishing their credibility in bringing the beauty of Bhutan to the big screen. The inspiration behind their latest film was the government-initiated happiness survey, which calculates the overall happiness index of society. Intrigued by the numbers and how feelings and life experiences can be measured using mathematical formulas, the directors aimed to create a cinematic experience that goes beyond charts and statistics and delves into the minds and souls of the Bhutanese people, in a country where happiness is of paramount importance.
“Agent of Happiness,” produced by Noémi Veronika Szakonyi, Máté Artur Vincze, and Bhattarai, will premiere on January 19 at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City. The documentary received support from various entities, including the Sundance Film Institute, the Catapult Film Fund, Hungary’s National Film Institute, the DeNovo Initiative, and the South-Korean DMZ Docs Fund.
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Bhutan and discover the true essence of happiness in “Agent of Happiness.” For more information about the film, visit F5mag.com.
Source link