Bhutan travel doc is the highest funded Kickstarter film project

A documentary examining Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan kingdom that sets Gross National Happiness as a development goal, has become the top-funded active film on the crowdfunding site Kickstarter. “The Happiest Place,” directed by independent filmmaker Ben Henretig, has earned more than $83,000 — 182 percent of the original $45,000 goal — and 725 supporters, and features an original score by singer Imogen Heap, who is in the movie.

The film chronicles the border-to-border trek — 485 miles by foot and bicycle — of a group of four endurance athletes. Along the way, the country’s misty mountain vistas and simplified, spiritual way of life are highlighted.