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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" 

- Los Angeles Times

About the Artist

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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. 

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Trailer

Thank you to our community partner for this screening!

AFS

Credits

Crew

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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