Agent of Happiness

”Uncle, how many goats do you have?” Asks Amber, who is travelling through Bhutan with his colleague to collect data for a national happiness index. Happiness indicators differ between cities and the countryside, as do the attitudes of the people. A man with multiple wives assures that they are all happy, but the reactions of the wives tell a different story.

In addition to the participants of the survey, Agent of Happiness focuses on Amber’s own search for happiness. In his eyes, the most important missing pieces in his search for a good life are a partner and a family. Amber is part of a Nepalese minority and doesn’t have official citizenship, which presents its own problems in the relationship market.

Bhutan’s happiness index has been accused of being government propaganda, intended to distract from human rights violations. Amber’s status is only one example of these violations. The film manages to create a warm atmosphere, even though it doesn’t shy away from darker topics. It also raises questions about what factors contribute to a happy life. 

Santtu Nikula (translated by Sofia Lanki)