“It touches upon a universal theme, and that is seeking where one belongs”: Pawo Choyning Dorji on Lunana – A Yak in the Classroom

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is a heartwarming film from writer-director Pawo Choyning Dorji that follows teacher Ugyen (Sherab Dorji), who is banished to a remote village school ahead of leaving Bhutan for Australia after a five-year teaching gig, and discovers a whole new way of life in the isolated community. 

The Upcoming had the pleasure of speaking to the filmmaker about what sparked the idea for his feature debut and the challenges of shooting in the remote region of Bhutan, from relying on solar power to working with animals and young children who were new to cinema for his supporting cast. We also discussed what it means to the director for people to connect with his gem of an indie movie, it being the first Bhutanese film to be nominated for an Oscar, and the feature’s message of finding one’s place in the world.

Sarah Bradbury

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is released in select cinemas and digitally on demand on 10^th March 2023. Read our review here.

Watch the trailer for Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom here: