Happiness (2013 film)

Happiness is a 2013 French-Finnish documentary film written, directed and produced by Thomas Balmès.^[1][2] The film had its world premiere at International Documentary Festival Amsterdam in November 2013 and premiered in-competition at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival on 17 January 2014.^[3][4] It won the Documentary World Cinema Cinematography Award at the festival.^[5][6]

Happiness
Promotional poster
Directed by	Thomas Balmès
Written by	Thomas Balmès
Produced by	Thomas Balmès Kaarle Aho Juliette Guigon Patrick Winocour
Cinematography	Thomas Balmès Nina Bernfeld
Edited by	Alex Cardon Ronan Sinquin
Music by	British Sea Power
Production companies	Arte France ITVS International TBC Productions Quark Films Making Movies Oy
Release date	November 2013 (2013-11) (International Documentary Festival Amsterdam)
Running time	80 minutes
Countries	France Finland
Language	English

The film premiered at 2014 Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in Views of the World section, on 16 March 2014.^[7] It also premiered at 2014 San Francisco International Film Festival on 27 April 2014.^[8]

Synopsis

In 1999, when Jigme Singye Wangchuck authorized television and the Internet throughout Bhutan, it had a rapid impact on the country. The film follows events through the eyes of an eight year old monk named Peyangki, praying eagerly for a TV set in Laya, the last village in Bhutan to be connected to the internet and global media.

Reception

Happiness received generally positive reviews upon its premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Stephen Farber in his review for The Hollywood Reporter wrote of the film, "Striking images of a Himalayan mountain village invigorate this award-winning doc."^[9] Dan Nailen of Salt Lake Magazine criticized the film by saying, "Happiness is far from perfect, and is somewhat predictable in its view that technology doesn't have the answers for a poor remote village," but ultimately adds, "Still, the joy of watching Peyangki mature as a monk while keeping his playful spirit is undeniable, and the film offers a glimpse into a world rarely seen by Westerners. It's well worth the time spent delving into Peyangki's world."^[10]

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result
2014	Sundance Film Festival	World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary	Thomas Balmès	Nominated
		Cinematography Award: World Cinema Documentary[5][6]	Thomas Balmès and Nina Bernfeld	Won
	Sheffield International Documentary Festival	Sheffield Youth Jury Award - Special Mention[11]	Thomas Balmès	Won
		Sheffield Youth Jury Award	Thomas Balmès	Nominated