Five Asian films will be screened at the DOCVILLE International Documentary Film Festival, which will take place from March 20 – 28, 2024 in Leuven, Belgium.

Agent of Happiness by Arun Bhattarai, Dorottya Zurbó – Bhutan, Hungary | 2024 – 94 minutes

In Buthan, everything is about happiness. Happiness is even a top priority of the Buthanese government as they issue a yearly hapiness survey to all residents of the country. Amber is one of the many Happiness Agents in Buthan. Along with his colleague, Gunaraj, he goes door to door with a questionnaire to measure the happiness of Buthanese people. During his mission in the inhospitable Himalayan mountains, he meets people of all origins, all chasing different dreams. Amber himself also has dreams and desires. Inspired by the happiness of others, he goes on the lookout for his own. (DOCVILLE 2024)

Hong Kong Mixtape by San San F Young – UK | 2023 – 86 minutes

In June 2020, the student protests in Hong Kong came to an abrupt end. The introduction of the National Security Act forcefully silenced millions of citizens. Although they are no longer allowed to speak freely, many freedom fighters are now seeking a voice through art. A veritable network of underground artists, dancers, performers, illustrators and performance artists has emerged, each using their creativity in an attempt to preserve their culture. Hong Kong Mixtape is the evidence that people will always find a way to speak through art and perseverance; their voices will be heard louder than ever. (DOCVILLE 2024)

Trailer:

Marching in the Dark by Kinshuk Surjan – Belgium | 2024 – 108 minutes

Against the background of rising suicide rates among farmers in India, young widow Sanjeevani discovers strength, joy and companionship in a group of resilient women who share in her loss. During sessions with a local psychologist, she gives her grief a place, breaks social taboos and strives for financial independence and a better future for her children. Despite new suicides in her community, she draws strength in facing her grief and helping other women in a highly patriarchal society. (DOCVILLE 2024)

Trailer:

Nocturnes by Anirban Dutta, Anupama Srinivasan – USA | 2024 – 82 minutes

In a remote ecological “hot spot” on the border of India and Bhutan, two researchers set out. Their nocturnal expeditions revolve around the thousands of moths – in all shapes and sizes – that bring the forest to life at dusk. Their secret life is fascinating and enchanting. A magical immersion into an unknown world, not only visually enchanting, but aurally enticing as well, with the soft whisper of silken wings creating a true asmr experience. This meditative film won awards at Sundance Film Festival and urges you to take a closer look at the hidden world of nightly butterflies. (DOCVILLE 2024)

Total Trust by Jialing Zhang – Germany, Netherlands | 2023 – 97 minutes

Surveillance has more than one face: it’s a mix of facial recognition, big data analysis and a points system that predicts public uproar and punishes so-called bad behaviour, as well as it rewards what’s considered good. Zijuan Chen’s husband is a human rights activist lawyer who has been imprisoned for his legal work. Ever since, her life is being monitored around the clock. Sophia Xueqin Huang is an independent journalist whose work of exposing wrongful imprisonment and human rights abuses in China, put her on the wrong side of the authorities. These women are not the only ones being monitored. Since the Covid pandemic, surveillance technology has skyrocketed in China and beyond. (DOCVILLE 2024)

Trailer:

More info: https://www.docville.be/en