Film Notes

‘Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom’ Film Review: Small Oscar Contender Makes Big Impact.

Bhutan’s first nominee tells a heart-tugging tale of a big-city teacher sent to the remotest school district on Earth.

In a time when bigger is assumed to be better, especially in terms of budget and star power, “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” scored a surprising Oscar nomination for Best International Feature, the first ever for Bhutan, a country in the Himalayas with a population of less than 800,000.

In the COVID era, however, the film’s core messaging of a simple life, where people help people and educators are worthy of honor and praise, resonates more strongly than ever. So many of us discovered the importance of these values during the pandemic, and Ugyen (Sherab Dorji), the film’s protagonist, realizes it through a crisis of his own.

When we first meet Ugyen, he is an unsatisfied teacher working in Thimphu, the nation’s capital, with dreams of escaping to Australia and becoming a singer, despite his grandmother’s insistence that being a teacher and a civil servant is a better job than anything he will find abroad. Before he can do that, his government employers send him to the remote village of Lunana, accessible only by horse and foot, to finish out his contract.

If Ugyen finds the city unsatisfying, imagine his displeasure at giving up material comforts, such as listening to music and using his phone, to live in a region without regular electricity or even indoor plumbing. Regardless of how disgruntled Ugyen feels about this transfer, the villagers are ecstatic that he is there, greeting him like a king with all they have to offer. And while “all they have” isn’t much by material standards, even he cannot resist the power of pure kindness where people give so freely of their few possessions.

In Lunana, education is so hard to come by that it is highly treasured. What he finds are students so eager to learn that they come to find him if he is late. Charged with this duty is class captain Pem Zam (her real name), whose optimism is boundless and completely untainted by the unfortunate cards she’s been dealt, including an alcoholic father. One student even tells him that Ugyen wants to be a teacher like him “because a teacher touches the future.”

The yak, Ugyen learns, is a valuable asset in Lunana, something he realizes firsthand as he grows accustomed to using the animal’s dung as fuel for stoves and heaters. At one point, he is even granted a yak of his own — Norbu, who, as the film’s title reveals, resides in the classroom. In time, Ugyen finds himself warming not just to the people but also to the culture, even recalling bits that he had forgotten from his own childhood. Where he once sang Western songs, he now embraces those of the village, particularly “Yak Lebi Lhadar,” in praise of the celebrated animal, frequently sung by the beautiful Saldon (Kelden Lhamo Gurung) on top of the mountain as an offering.

Taking it a step further, he begins to use those songs to teach his students. Ugyen’s presence is so powerful that Asha (Kunzang Wangdi), the village’s wise leader, begins to sing again, something he hadn’t done in the many years since his wife’s death. And the change in Asha suggests that Ugyen has an even more divine and powerful connection to Lunana, one that conjures up the richest folklore.

What first-time director Pawo Choyning Dorji — who attended college in the U.S. and is the son of a Bhutanese diplomat — achieves is a reminder of how cinema can connect us to what matters most in life, sharing a specific story from a part of the world most of us will never experience, but zoning in on matters of the heart that resonate in a universal way. “Lunana” is also a testament to the vitality of making cinema available to those without standard resources: The actors are all novices, with many of them never even having seen a movie before, and the production was shot on digital cameras that relied upon solar power as the area’s main energy source.

The taste of Oscar voters is often questioned, but they get it right here. “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” is more than what Ang Lee calls a “breath of fresh air”; it’s an affirmation that all films, however humble their origin, can matter and be counted.  

Ronda Racha Penrice, THEWRAP, March 21 2022.

Global word-of-mouth lands Bhutanese debut a coveted spot on the Oscar shortlist for international feature.

Happiness lies where you least expect it in Lunana - A Yak In The Classroom, Pawo Choyning Dorji’s feelgood debut feature, which follows a discontented teacher assigned to the most remote school in Bhutan. High in the mountains, he discovers a sense of community and connection that has been singularly absent from his life in Thimphu . As warming as hot soup on a frosty winter’s day, Lunana has enjoyed a lengthy festival journey that has culminated in a recent US distribution deal with Samuel Goldwyn Films and a place on the Oscar shortlist for best international feature film.

Lunana feels like a timely tale for pandemic-weary audiences, who should embrace a film that explores a longing for a more authentic, meaningful existence. That universal appeal is wrapped within a contemplation of the conundrum of why so many Bhutan citizens feel the need to look abroad for fulfilment when the country prides itself on being one of the happiest in the world.

Ugyen (Sherab Dorji) is one of those who suspect the grass is greener elsewhere. In the fourth year of his mandatory five-year government service, he has set his sights on a new life in Australia as a professional singer. An official tells him that she has never seen a less-motivated teacher. The policy of providing an education for every child in the land is the justification for a rap across the knuckles and his posting to Lunana.

The trip there is an adventure in itself. An eight-day hike exposes Ugyen’s city-slicker softness but constantly confirms the cheerful resolve of his guides Michen (Ugyen Norbu Lhendup) and Signye (Tshering Dorji). Writer/director Dorji marks key points along the way with titles that detail the changes from Thimphu (population 101,238, altitude 2,201 metres) to Lunana (population 56, altitude 4,800 metres). On the route, Ugyen is met with unconditional hospitality, often from those with little to share. The journey also allows Dorji to beguile the viewer with images of misty mornings, flowing rivers and - eventually - snow-capped mountains. Anyone expecting to soak up some of Bhutan’s natural beauty will not be disappointed.

The intense anticipation of Ugyen’s arrival is shown by chief Asha (Kunzang Wangdi) and the whole village turning out to bid him welcome at a point two hours removed from his final destination. Despite their enthusiasm, he has already decided that he does not intend to stay. His spartan quarters, the unreliable electricity supply and the lack of phone reception are just some of the drawbacks. When he meets his eager, bright-eyed students, especially class captain Pem Zam (Zam), you suspect his resistance will crumble.

Tales of inspirational teachers from Dead Poets Society to Mr Bachmann And His Class generally focus on the impact the teacher has on the pupils. Lunana is equally about the imprint this experience leaves on Ugyen. Everything that he takes for granted is regarded as a privilege in Lunana. A teacher is such a rare and valuable asset to this community that he is treated with a respect he has never known before.  “A teacher touches the future,” explains Pem Zam.

The story arc of Lunana may offer few surprises but Dorji handles it with confidence and buckets of charm. There is a simplicity to the storytelling that is highly appealing but the journey towards a sense of happiness also manages to touch on issues of identity, connectivity, climate change and the possibility of romance between Ugyen and yak herder/songstress Saldon (Kelden Lhamo Gurung). Newcomer Sherab Dorji’s nicely understated performance as Ugyen sets the tone for a film notable for its refusal to milk every teardrop of sentimentality from the story. Instead, Dorji displays a sure touch and a well-judged restraint, especially in the closing scenes.

The decision to shoot on location using solar-powered batteries and employ the villagers as actors gives the film a refreshing sense of authenticity. The beautiful mountain landscapes and the naturalistic performances, especially from scene-stealer Pam Zam, all contribute to its ready appeal. True to the title, there is indeed a yak in the classroom that goes by the name of Norbu, a nod perhaps to Dorji’s time as an assistant on director Khyentse Norbu’s Vara: A Blessing (2013).

 Allan Hunter, Screen Daily, 6th January 2022.

What you thought about Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

Film Responses

Collated Response Comments

110members and guests came along for the screening of Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom. We received 51 responses giving a film score of 4.69 and a response rate of 46%.

“'Teachers touch the future'. Despite loving this gentle film with its beautiful locations, singing, people and yaks, I couldn't stop thinking how little regard our society actually has for its teachers”.

“What an amazing film. Captivating, mesmerising and wonderful. I was engrossed the entire time. The scenery was stunning, and the story was heartfelt. Definitely 10/10 excellent”.

“An emotive storey well told, acted and filmed. Enjoyed. Excellent”.

“A delight. Enjoyed the rhythms of the film and its gentle humour, even though it's sentimental in many ways. . Filming is striking in many ways. The careful probing by the director of 'Gross National Happiness' drew me in. This allied to a teacher helping children to "touch the future" as did the natural landscapes and warmth of all the villagers in welcoming the new man. Once his headphone batteries die, he edges closer to the life of folk song by Saldon, and the single importance of yaks, for their meat, skins and dung. Will Ugyen ever learn the words to the song about the yaks? That's about as tense as it gets. Thought the script wasn't too sober, with some light humour throughout. The cast too are all impressive, particularly the villagers especially 9-year-old Pem Zam. Sherab Dorji makes his screen debut playing Ugyen. He perfectly charts his character's development from a moody young man to a grown up with responsibilities who learns to be humble and enjoys a simple life. The struggles of teaching and its rewards bring rewards of the impact on young lives, as the whole village community is invested in the importance of education. Does the inevitability of the climax judge Ugyen – perhaps not. Thanks for showing this – a contrast to the first one of the season”.

“Wonderful film! Great acting from both professional actors and the villagers. Gentle development of main character from irresponsible, selfish young man to sensitive, committed teacher. Fascinating insight into life of rural people and beautiful scenery. We are lucky to see films like this!”

“Enchanting”. “A lovely, heartfelt film with great naturalistic performances from the villagers”.

“This was a lovely little film with great scenery and acting in high Bhutan. The Australian connection although slight had added poignancy as a dual national having lived there so I could see the initial appeal. The ending in Sydney definitely showed the difference in cultures and the clear draw to return to his roots”.

“An interesting insight into a largely unknown country/people. Stunning scenery (albeit slightly daunting). A sweet film, gently played, no themes over-sentimentalised and no gratuitous "Hollywood " happy ever after ending”

“Apologies for the late submission. I really enjoyed the beautiful scenery, rich culture, and gentle storytelling. It was educational in many ways. Simply watching felt meditative--I came away feeling healed, even purged. The singing was mesmerising, especially at the very end. A wonderful addition to the society's film list--thank you”.

“An enjoyable emotional and scenic film of the Bhutanese lifestyle showing that the simple things in life are the most rewarding. A wonderful International Film”.

“A joy to watch. Simple yet a profound challenge to our "modern" western values”.

“Truly moving and a reprimand to all of us who value stuff more than love and kindness. I can't write a clever review like some do, but from my heart it leaves a profound question about values”.

“A lovely film”. “Complex, layered, sensitive, insightful”.

“Charming and beautiful”.

“A film to illustrate how the simple pleasures in life are the most important in creating happiness. A beautiful, touching film”.

“Very sweet film, beautifully shot”.

“An uplifting film beautifully acted and photographed”.

“Shor beautifully with in every way”.

“Absolutely lovey film. Heartfelt charming and amazing”.

“Charming film – thought provoking”.

“Life’s priorities in perspective. Loved it”.

“So heartwarming! It’s hard to keep the eyes dry”.

“Nicely paced, beautiful and camera. Skilful portrayal of a happy society”.

“Excellent storyline. Great film”.

“Who learned more and grew more? The teachers or the villagers? Beautiful”.

“I really enjoyed it. Storyline, music, everything”.

“A beautiful film”.

“So beautiful visually and spiritually – very touching. Just what we need to see. People living lives in simplicity”.

“Having visited Bhutan, I was very impressed with its depiction here. True to form. The pace, the people, the betelnut!!”

“Excellent charming film”.

“Local hero reimagined as a Bhutani musical. Somewhat saccharine at points, but a beautiful warm heart. Gorgeous cinematography. Leaves a nice taste in the mouth”.

“A really enjoyable film”.

“Lyrical bordering on sentimental”.

“The children were amazing and I hope the teacher returned”.

“Interesting story. I prefer films in English”.