Ka Leo O Hawaii

Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Mixed Plate

Media Credit: Courtesy of Blaise Noto & Associates LLC Director Vendetti and his crew were one of the first allowed to film in the Kingdom of Bhutan about the government's Gross National Happiness.

Stop and think for a minute: Are you truly happy or are you conditionally happy? Is happiness that new car that you are working so hard for? Or could it be a feeling of inner peace, such as getting a smile from a random stranger? How about a combination of both? In a new refreshing film, "Bhutan: Taking the Middle Path to Happiness," audiences are shown a unique perspective on uniting both the materialistic and spiritual world to live a truly happy life.

Producer and director Tom Vendetti was inspired to document Bhutan, a little country tucked away in the Himalayan Mountains, when he discovered how simply happy its people were and what wisdom they possessed. As a doctor of psychology, Vendetti is aware of the increasing cases of depression and anxiety in this materialistically and externally driven world. He believes humans are conditioned to ideas of happiness in relation to what the media wants us to believe.

Vendetti presents us with a film that emphasizes increasing our quality of life by being content with all aspects of our inner and outer self. Experience how Bhutan people lead the way to a truly happy life with their simple approach to living. Their culture and government go hand in hand in encouraging its people to take the middle path to happiness - a path that embraces the best values and ideals of both Eastern and Western cultures by following the Four Pillars or Platforms.

One, they believe in a good democratic governance that listens to its people. Two, they preserve their culture by maintaining their values and identities so they do not become like everyone else. Three, they preserve their natural environment because a beautiful place makes a much happier world. And four, they continue to work on economical stability, which maintains certain standards for basic and growing needs.

"Bhutan: Taking the Middle Path to Happiness" is a film that finds its way into all cultures and religions. Robert Stone, editor and film director, was blown away by how powerful a message this film carried as he worked on the set during their one-and-a-half-year journey. He also saw how much impact a short three-minute clip on YouTube had.

One commenter wrote, "I really had to rethink my life."

Vendetti is determined to share with the world how simple life can be.

" ... I thought their (the Bhutanese) model to promote happiness could be one for the whole world to follow," Vendetti said. He hopes the film will open the eyes and minds of the West and create a much-needed shift.

Go see the film and decide for yourself what happiness really means and what it could be for the world.

Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m., East-West Center, Imin International Conference Center, Keoni Auditorium and Nov. 18 at 5 p.m., UH Spalding Auditorium

Screening will feature director and Bhutanese musician performance,
$20, http://www.bhutanfilm.com/

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