Aspiring singer Ugyen (Sherab Dorji) lives with his grandmother in the capital city of Thimphu, Bhutan. For his final year of national service as a teacher, he is posted to the most remote school possible, in Lunana. It is not a promotion and not his desire (he wants to go to Australia), but rather to teach him a lesson for being a disinterested employee.
Early in the film, when watching this scene of him and the boss, we see how cleverly Pawo Chonyning Dorji (director, writer, and producer) has humourised differences in culture in the film. One cannot help but laugh out loud when this scene contrasts to how issues on work performance would play out in Australia.
Further snippets of humour contrasting Ugyen’s city culture with the tough stoic Lunana villager Michen’s (Ugyen Norbu Lhendup), continue on the trek to Lunana. The multi day hike is tough going (part of the Lunana Snowman Trek, they start from Gasa) and Lunana? It sits at a final altitude of 4,800m, with a population of 56.
The abundance of the landscape, with its valleys, wildlife and flawless views are unappreciated by Ugyen as he makes his way to the village. Upon arrival, when he finds the classroom and his accommodation to lack modern comforts such as the internet, reliable electricity and even paper, he is keen to return home.
However, the enthusiasm of the students is infectious, and he decides to remain. Untainted and full of hope, the villagers respect teachers to guide them forward, as teachers can ‘touch the future’. With such support around him, Ugyen is able to improve the classroom with a blackboard and further resources. It is hard to imagine how the crew were able to film in such a remote location, with the resources required for a set.
The showcasing of Lunana, with real villagers in their colourful splendour as part of the acting crew, give great visual appeal. In addition is the auditory pleasure of listening to the melodies of traditional songs, as the teaching of song is embedded in the plot.
This film is about purity of heart. What is a pure heart? Materialism, fame, relationships, and connection are all delicately touched upon in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom. Spoken in Dzongkha language with English subtitles, and winner of the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film (PSIFF, 2020), it is also the first Bhutanese film to be nominated for an Oscar.
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom opens on June 2nd
A most eloquent way to contrast different ideologies 4.5 stars
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