2016 SBIFF Movie Spotlight: Crossing Bhutan

Follow a group of veteran athletes as they attempt to cross Bhutan, the only country in the world to use Gross National Happiness to measure the nation’s progress, in a 32-day journey.

Bhutan is generally considered the last Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom where many still honor the ancient traditions and values of the small nation, but when the grueling 485-mile expedition pushes the team to its limits, will they be able to channel their inner Bhutanese or give up and go home?

Filmmaker Ben Henretig sat down to discuss Crossing Bhutan.

This documentary has a lot of elements to it that make it a delight to watch. You have narration, facts, drama, adventure, etc. can you talk about what the process of making this film was like?

Most of the work that I’ve done the last 6 years has been short format documentary storytelling for change-makers around the world – and although a lot of the experience did transfer, making a feature is a completely different beast. I thought that I would shoot and finish the film in 6 months or so – and the project ultimately took 4 years to complete! With a fiction film, often many years goes into fine-tuning the perfect script, then production and editing is often quick, but with documentary film, it’s the inverse. You really find the film in the edit.

Ultimately, we settled on a story that captures the physical – and emotional – hurdles the team had to overcome to cross Bhutan and receive her lessons. I’m really proud with how all the various threads wove together.

What was the most challenging or difficult part about making this film?

Shooting this film was the most challenging production I’ve ever been on. We trekked alongside the expedition team – but also had to slingshot ahead to get in position for the next shot. With all of our film gear! During the first stretch of our trip we had 10+ days without power — so we had to strap solar panels onto our support donkeys to keep all of our camera gear charged. And, on top of it all, we dealt with a washed out bridge that modified our route substantially and resulted in some 12-16 hour days. It was madness.

What did you find most surprising and interesting about crossing Bhutan? And what life lessons and philosophies of Bhutan have you applied to your own life?

Bhutan is nestled in the Himalayas above India and below Tibet. When you see it on a map, you have a sense that it’s mountainous – but experiencing the immense valleys and peaks in person is another matter entirely. It wasn’t until the 60s that a meaningful road network was introduced in Bhutan due in large part to the challenging geography; television and internet weren’t introduced until 1999. Bhutan’s policy of Gross National Happiness really emerged out of an interest in ensuring that this splendid isolation that Bhutan has enjoyed persists into the future, even as Bhutan begins to modernize.

My relationship to Bhutan has shaped my life deeply. A year after our journey to cross Bhutan, I made a return trip, and had an opportunity to dig even deeper into Bhutan’s spirituality. One thing that is incredibly striking is the Bhutanese sense of belongings or connectedness. I think it’s something that we crave deeply in the West, and something that is emerging on a very grassroots level the U.S.

What inspired you to want to do this project? It’s almost a calling wouldn’t you say?

I believe deeply that, in order to confront some of the most pressing challenges of our time like climate change, we need to change the rules of the game and redefine “success” and “progress”. Bhutan’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness was a response to this impulse; a recognition that at the end of the day, what matters most is the well-being of our communities and environment. What would a system look like that was designed to promote more vibrant culture? Or a more connected community? It’s a very provocative and timely inquiry.

If there’s one thing you truly want audiences to leave with after seeing his film, what would that be?

I hope that audiences take the opportunity to look at how they define success and progress in their own lives — and ask whether it is supporting or getting in the way of their contentment. I also hope that audiences are invited to start to re-frame what it means to “slow down’ — and see that doing so can actually be an invitation for more connection in our lives.

What does it mean to you to have your film’s World Premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival?

I’ve spent many years visiting family in Santa Barbara — and it’s one of my favorite places in the world. I thought that the community would drink up Bhutan’s story and message — and, so far, I’ve been right! :

Crossing Bhutan hold its third screening at the Lobero Theater on Friday, February 12 at 11 a.m.

For tickets and a complete schedule of SBIFF events, visit http://sbiff.org.