If you’re participating in the Wales One World Film Festival this week, then Pawo Choyning’s Dorji’s latest film “A Yak in the classroom” is the place to start. It is an excellent film, littered with poetry and life lessons that make for a highly philosophical albeit gentle film.
The film follows the unmotivated teacher Ugyen Dorji, a young man who’s dreams aren’t in government work or even in Bhusan, having burned bridges at city schools he is sent to finish his contract in the most isolated village in the country; Lunana. Sherab Dorji excels in the role, he embodies his character so fully from a surly millennial to a man deeply connected to the environment around him. Pawo Choyning Dorji commented that the film was partially made as a reaction to the growing numbers of young Bhutanese people who look to find happiness out of the country that is widely labelled “The happiest in Asia”. It further proves to be something of a commentary on the growing influence of the modern world and the negative repercussions of our reliance upon it.
There is passing reference to global warming; which makes the fact that the entire film was shot on solar power all the more enjoyable! Shot on location in Lunana, its hard to imagine that most of the near professional cast of villagers and school children had never seen a movie before; let alone acted professionally. It was commented on that the cast were there to play themselves, despite the fictional element of the film, a very true to life depiction of the village is created.
The shots are endlessly poetic, Tshering Dorji singing on the mountain tops, the school children playing and learning, the yak who sits in a classroom continually eating grass. Dorji was incredibly successful in making every frame beautiful and memorable. Making a point of creating beauty out of otherwise mundane shots.
The film is an important film to watch, it explores themes that are not exclusive to Bhutan but are universal in all people. Every shot is beautiful, the acting is superb and the story will resonate with you for a long time after viewing. Dorji has successfully created a film that is as enjoyable as the creation of which is fascinating.
Check out this interview with the director HERE
See details for the WOW Festival HERE
T H E N A I V E F I L M M A K E R 