L'école du bout du monde

Bhutan! My first film that talks about this country and I must say that it was quite captivating to listen and watch the people from this remote place:) Albeit their claim of fame is how happy they are, at least at the official levels, the movies shows the regular life of villagers and city folks: not as happy as they say. Love, community life, family , are all universal expressions that have been captured countless times in movies, but the unique setting of this particular movie, combined with a very unique culture, make this endeavor stand out! Again, nothing ground-breaking here, but just a very enjoyable, well made movie.

Nominated for Best International Feature Film Oscar at the upcoming Academy Awards, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is simple in structure & earnest in its approach but the drama it packs in is a familiar one minus any conflict or complexity that's expected from such setups. Instead, it serves better as a fascinating insight into the Bhutanese culture & modest living through the unassuming ways of their countryfolk.

Written & directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji, the story follows a schoolteacher with different aspirations who's sent to the most remote school in the world where he, detached from his westernised comforts, slowly begins to understand the value & importance of his work and learns to appreciate the beauty of rural life. The narrative unfolds at a quiet pace but fails to do anything interesting to make itself stand out from the norm.

Shot in gorgeous mountainside locations and exquisitely assisted by its serene camerawork, the imagery comes imbued with a soothing quality & sense of calmness that makes the ride worthwhile but the transformation that our protagonist undergoes still feels simplistic since the story never digs into the character deeper than the surface and simply hurries through the process. Also, acting from the supporting cast is more authentic than the lead.

Overall, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom isn't without its merits and is a sincere effort by all means. Where most similar stories work towards something more complex or ambitious, this one finds comfort in the stillness of its surroundings. Though it only glances at its themes and is devoid of surprises, its silent reflection on what it means to be a teacher and how the simplest events in life can profoundly affect our being makes this Bhutanese drama worth a shot.

This simple but delightful tale, of a young teacher in the Bhutanese capital who dreams of emigrating to Australia who is reluctantly and unexpectedly sent to the high mountains area to teach in a remote tiny village school is both unusual and also a true story. It's a terrific feel good experience with I think a broad audience appeal which gives a real insight into Bhutanese life and transports its audience somewhere pretty extraordinary. It is a slow and considered film and it takes its time, but I was engrossed and lost in the place and landscape and ended up thoroughly enjoying the experience. The film is not going to set the world alight, but in its own quiet way it's a fine achievement.

Oscar nominee for International Film. Pawo Choyning Dorji's debut tells the universal story of a teacher sent to a tiny village to educate the local children. Sherab Dorji is Ugyen, a twenty-something who lives in Bhutan's capitol of Thimphu when he is dispatched to distant Lunana - population 56, and, with very limited electricity. It's considered so isolated that the school is referred to as the most remote in the world.

Dorji, who also wrote the screenplay, keeps things simple. There are no grand gestures or revelations, just Ugyen interacting with the locals. The theme of making a connection with the schoolkids may be plain to see (and, of course, it works vice-versa), but, it's done in a soulful way with no cloying or artificial drama injected into the mix. It's very lack of pretentiousness is its charm.

And, yes, there IS a Yak who lives in the makeshift classroom. All the more appropriate since the unofficial Lunana song is a paean to yaks.

Lunana is the reason I watch movies to escape from the everyday realities of this harsh world. A selfish young man who is required by the government to teach is not happy with the situation. He dreams of becoming a singer in Australia to leave behind his life in Bhutan. Lunana is a remote village with no electricity or indoor plumbing. A "schoolroom" has no supplies but the children are eager to learn. The teacher is the one needing a lesson in humanity, and boy does he get one from the young ones. The scenery is spectacular, the cast exceptional and the story a captivating and hopeful wish for the rest of us. I was blown away by Lunana and am praying for the Oscar for best foreign language film for 2021.