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 byThomas Balmès
Written byThomas Balmès
Produced byThomas Balmès
Kaarle Aho
Juliette Guigon
Patrick Winocour
CinematographyThomas Balmès
Nina Bernfeld
Edited byAlex Cardon
Ronan Sinquin
Music byBritish Sea Power
Production
companies
Arte France
ITVS International
TBC Productions
Quark Films
Making Movies Oy
Release date
Running time
80 minutes
CountriesFrance
Finland
LanguageEnglish

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 mixed to 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] While, 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

References
  1. "Thomas Balmès, Happiness". Screen Daily. 17 January 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  2. "Film Happiness shows 'invasive force' of TV on Bhutan village". Sydney Morning Herald. January 26, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  3. "Sundance 2014: World Cinema Documentary Competition". IndieWire. January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  4. "2014 Sundance Documentary competitions showcase Nick Cave, Internet paranoia and more". HitFix. December 4, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  5. "Sundance: 'Whiplash' & 'Rich Hill' Win Grand Jury Awards; Dramatic Directing Goes To Cutter Hodierne For 'Fishing Without Nets'". Deadline. January 25, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  6. "'Whiplash' Owns the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Awards Netting Two Top Prizes". IndieWire. January 25, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  7. "16th TDF: Film Line-Up, FIPRESCI Jury and Sidebar Events (3/11/2014)". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  8. "SFIFF: Happiness (Thomas Balmes, France/Finland, 2013)". Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  9. Farber, Stephen (February 6, 2014). "Happiness: Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  10. "Sundance Review: Happiness". Salt Lake Magazine. Jan 20, 2014. Archived from the original on April 21, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  11. "2014 Award Winners". Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
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