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Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom Movie Review

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is a 2021 Bhutanese drama film directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji and starring Sherab Dorji. It’s such a wonderful, endearing flick.

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“As we reach up there, the walk is so nice.

You will wish it never ends“

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Ugyen, a schoolteacher in his final year of training, has been sent to the remote town of Lunana in northern Bhutan. He must brave the high altitude, a lack of amenities and a brutal winter. This film ended up getting into the Oscar nominations slate for foreign movie somewhat surprisingly and it was an interesting addition, being the first ever movie from Bhutan to be honored in this way.

It’s the kind of movie that just isn’t made anymore, meaning that it’s exceedingly old-fashioned in both its narrative and its values. It has a very familiar second half and a predictable ending. The entirety of the second half was somewhat disappointing to me after that arresting, intriguing first half.

But still, Lunana is a Bhutanese movie, so that element definitely transcends any clichés that are in the film, making it a unique story that offers an authentic look into a lesser-known country and its people. The movie contrasts Thimphu, the country’s high-altitude capital, with the rest of rural Bhutan so well. Most importantly, it asks the eternal question of whether or not life with technology and in a city is better than a simpler life in the country.

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It’s a tough question to answer, but the movie’s ending hints at the tragic end that is to come to most small villages in the world, especially the remote ones. It is an inescapable reality that the majority of young people will eventually leave these areas in pursuit of a city life. The movie’s very honest and realistic in the depiction of that urge and that despite the many strengths that a simpler life offers, younger people aren’t suited to that lifestyle at the end of the day.

Lunana is a highly authentic viewing experience. Bhutan apparently opened for international tourists quite recently for the very first time and I would definitely consider going there as I find its natural landscapes stunning. The movie offers a look into the capital city at first, but then we move to the forested areas and all the way to the titular village way high in the Himalayas.

The movie’s meticulously detailed and that is its biggest strength. It is very leisurely paced and simplistic in its narrative, but the many immediate details make it culturally unique. The whole role of the yaks was well explored and it was quite moving seeing how important they are to these villagers. What they eat, how they make fire and the songs that they sing – everything was depicted in full detail and I loved watching those scenes.

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The scenes with the kids are just lovely. Each kid was super cute and the movie showcases just how important education and teachers are to all children, no matter where they reside. I wished to have seen more of these moments actually as the second half did not focus on them as much as I’d hoped. The main protagonist’s journey is predictable, but still well realized. The movie looks stunning due to it obviously being shot on location and the employment of real-life people from this area made for a more authentic film.