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Agent of Happiness

Play trailer 1:42 Poster for Agent of Happiness Released Nov 1, 2024 1h 34m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 20 Reviews Popcornmeter 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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Agent of Happiness

Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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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

Agent of Happiness: Trailer 1 Agent of Happiness: Trailer 1 1:42 View more videos
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Agent of Happiness

Agent of Happiness (2024) Agent of Happiness (2024) View more photos

Movie Info

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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