What Happiness Is (2012)

Bhutan, long isolated, wants to open itself up to the world without succumbing to materialism. It wants to modernize without selling its soul. The benchmark for this development is "Gross National Happiness." In a project unique worldwide, officials from the Ministry of Happiness are traveling for eight months to determine happiness in the country using thick questionnaires. A road movie to the most distant of all goals: The film offers insight into a country that has until now been largely inaccessible to film footage.

Director: Harald Friedl
Release Date:
Country: Bhutan, Austria
Language: Dzongkha
Original Language: de
More Films by Director: Harald Friedl

Frequently Asked Questions

What is What Happiness Is about?
Bhutan, long isolated, wants to open itself up to the world without succumbing to materialism. It wants to modernize without selling its soul. The benchmark for this development is "Gross National Happiness." In a project unique worldwide, officials from the Ministry of Happiness are traveling for eight months to determine happiness in the country using thick questionnaires. A road movie to the most distant of all goals: The film offers insight into a country that has until now been largely inaccessible to film footage.
Who directed What Happiness Is?
What Happiness Is was directed by Harald Friedl.
Where was What Happiness Is produced?
What Happiness Is was produced in Bhutan, Austria.