NOTE: This film is playing only in theaters.
$15 TICKETS ($12 for members)
Date: April 17th, 2022 @ 7:30PM
Venue: Austin Film Society
6259 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX
Texas Premiere
Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom
Bhutan I 109 mins I Drama, Family I 2019
Dzhongka w/ English subtitles
2022 Academy Award Nominee for 'Best International Feature'
A reluctant young teacher, Ugyen, finds himself assigned to the world’s most remote village school. Situated in Northern Bhutan, Lunana is an 8-day trek into the Himalayas - an alienating experience for the city-dwelling Ugyen, who plans to move to Australia to pursue music as soon as possible.
He arrives to find a welcoming community amid the beautiful but forbidding surroundings - and an especially eager student body, whose access to teachers and materials from outside has been inconsistent. Filmed using cameras operating on solar-powered batteries, and starring primarily villagers from the real Lunana in child & adult roles, this charming drama transports us to a rarely seen part of the globe.
"irresistibly entertaining and uplifting."
- Variety
"a crowd-pleaser in stunning, mostly unseen locations"
About the Artist
Pawo Choyning Dorji is a writer, photographer and filmmaker from the Kingdom of Bhutan. As a photographer, Dorji has contributed to publications such as VICE, Esquire, and Life.
His introduction to film came in 2012, when he worked as filmmaker Khyentse Norbu's assistant on feature Vara – A Blessing. He then produced the critically acclaimed 2016 feature Hema Hema – Sing me a song while I wait. That film premiered at the 69th Locarno Festival and won Special Mention at the Toronto Int'l Film Festival.
Lunana – A Yak in the Classroom is his feature directorial debut. In 2022, the film became Bhutan's first Oscar Nominee, with it's nomination in the prestigious "Best International Feature' category.
Trailer
Thank you to our community partner for this screening!
Credits
Writer/Director: Pawo Choyning Dorji
Producer(s): Pawo Choyning Dorji
Steven Xiang
Stephanie Lai
Honglin Jia
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Cast:
Sherab Dorji
Ugyen Norbu Lhendup
Kelden Lhamo Gurung
Pem Zam
Sangay Lham
Chimi Dem
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