Agent of Happiness

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1:42

Agent of Happiness

Released Nov 1, 2024

1h 34m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

95%

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20 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

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.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

It's gorgeously shot... and very gently absorbing.

Dec 5, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

A slow-burning portrait that’s infused with warmth.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 15, 2024

Full Review

Cath Clarke

Guardian

This quiet, gently absorbing documentary follows two “happiness agents” as they travel door-to-door, like census workers, collecting data for the government’s happiness survey.

Jul 10, 2024

Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

The film offers a peak not only into the daily lives of ordinary Bhutanese people, but also a glimpse at the desires, dreams, sometimes even their unhappiness, too.

Jun 14, 2025

Full Review

Diane Carson

KDHX (St. Louis)

Ironically, some individuals who adamantly pursue "happiness" find it an elusive achievement. A more successful approach to this life-affirming state is illuminated in directors Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó's documentary "Agent of Happiness."

Jan 23, 2025

Full Review

David Parkinson

Radio Times

Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbo's intriguing documentary follows pollster Amber Kumar Gurung, who travels the kingdom of Bhutan interviewing its citizens as part of a government survey of happiness.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 13, 2024

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Emma D

Quietly absorbing documentary about two government employees whose job it is to quantify people’s happiness. Left me with much food for thought.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

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Arun Bhattarai

Director

Dorottya Zurbó

Director

Amber Kumar Gurung

Self

Noémi Veronika Szakonyi

Producer

Máté Artur Vincze

Producer

Dawn Bonder

Executive Producer

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Agent of Happiness: Trailer 1

1:42

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Arun Bhattarai, Dorottya Zurbó
Producer: Noémi Veronika Szakonyi, Máté Artur Vincze, Arun Bhattarai
Distributor: Film Movement
Production Co: Match Frame Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Dzongkha
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.8M
Runtime: 1h 34m

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