Lunana: A Yak in the ClassroomLunana: A Yak in the Classroom
(2020)
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Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

A young teacher is sent to a remote Himalayan village to teach without any supplies

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Why watch this film?

A delicately simple movie that deeply investigates the meaning of what defines a 'home' and an 'exile' - both literally and emotionally. Among the feelings explored are a dissection of the sense of belonging in contrast to longing. There is a very well developed balance of joy and sorrow, which helps build the harmony of the plot that deals very well with dichotomies. In the plot, an aspiring singer living with his grandmother in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, dreams of obtaining a visa to move to Australia. 'Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom' shows how the beauty of life is in the representation of genuine warmth, kindness, mutual respect and kindness. Pem Zam's role is inspiring: the girl simply shines.

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Plot summary

A young teacher in modern Bhutan, Ugyen, shirks his duties while planning to go to Australia to become a singer. As a reprimand, his superiors send him to the most remote school in the world, a glacial Himalayan village called Lunana, to complete his service. He finds himself exiled from his Westernized comforts after an arduous 8 day trek just to get there. There he finds no electricity, no textbooks, not even a blackboard. Though poor, the villagers extend a warm welcome to their new teacher, but he faces the daunting task of teaching the village children without any supplies.

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