Two Bhutanese officials conduct a month-and-a-half survey in remote villages to measure happiness levels, contributing to the country's Gross National Happiness score.
Synopsis
Two Bhutanese officials conduct a month-and-a-half survey in remote villages to measure happiness levels, contributing to the country's Gross National Happiness score.
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Synopsis
Amber Kumar Gurung and Guna Raj Kuikel travel through Bhutan's remote villages, conducting surveys to measure happiness levels among residents. They work for the Center for Gross National Happiness, which aims to collect data that informs national policies. The film features various individuals, including a transgender bar singer and a recent widower, revealing their personal stories and views on happiness. It premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and won the Best Non-Fiction Film Award at the 2025 Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival.
What Critics Say
The GuardianIn the famously content Buddhist country, a government inspector interviews citizens to measure their wellbeing in a gently humorous film that doesn’t avoid dark themes.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet Amber Kumar Gurung and Guna Raj Kuikel in Bhutan.
- Find out how happiness is measured in Bhutan.
- See the lives of everyday Bhutanese people.
Did You Know
- The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024.
- It won the Best Non-Fiction Film Award at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival in 2025.
- The film was produced by Match Frame Productions and co-produced by Sound Pictures.
- It received funding from the Hungarian National Film Institute.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed the documentary Agent of Happiness?
Agent of Happiness was directed by Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó.
What is the main focus of the documentary Agent of Happiness?
The documentary follows Bhutanese officials Amber Kumar Gurung and Guna Raj Kuikel as they measure people's happiness levels to calculate the Gross National Happiness score.
What award did Agent of Happiness win at the Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival?
Agent of Happiness won the Best Non-Fiction Film Award at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival in 2025.
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