Happiness (2014 film)

Happiness
Promotional poster
Directed by Thomas Balmès
Produced by Thomas Balmès
Kaarle Aho
Juliette Guigon
Patrick Winocour
Written by Thomas Balmès
Music by British Sea Power
Cinematography Thomas Balmès
Nina Bernfeld
Edited by Alex Cardon
Ronan Sinquin
Production
company
Arte France
ITVS International
TBC Productions
Quark Films
Release date
Running time
 80 minutes
Country France
Finland
Language English

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

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

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 Thomas Balmès and Nina Bernfeld Won[5][6]
Sheffield International Documentary Festival Sheffield Youth Jury Award - Special Mention Thomas Balmès Won[11]
Sheffield Youth Jury Award Thomas Balmès Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Thomas Balmès, Happiness". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Film Happiness shows 'invasive force' of TV on Bhutan village". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Sundance 2014: World Cinema Documentary Competition". Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  4. ↑ "2014 Sundance Documentary competitions showcase Nick Cave, Internet paranoia and more". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Sundance: 'Whiplash' & 'Rich Hill' Win Grand Jury Awards; Dramatic Directing Goes To Cutter Hodierne For 'Fishing Without Nets'". Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "'Whiplash' Owns the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Awards Netting Two Top Prizes". 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. ↑ "Happiness: Sundance Review". 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". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
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