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IMDbPro

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

  • 20192019
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Sonam Tashi, Sherab Dorji, Pem Zam, Kelden Lhamo Gurung, Tandin Sonam, Kunzang Wangdi, Sangay Lham, Chimi Dem, Dophu, and Tshering Dorji in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
Watch Trailer [OVS]
Play trailer2:28
2 Videos
19 Photos
DramaFamily
An aspiring singer living with his grandmother in the capital of Bhutan dreams of getting a visa to move to Australia.An aspiring singer living with his grandmother in the capital of Bhutan dreams of getting a visa to move to Australia.An aspiring singer living with his grandmother in the capital of Bhutan dreams of getting a visa to move to Australia.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
    • Pawo Choyning Dorji
    • Pawo Choyning Dorji
  • Stars
    • Sherab Dorji
    • Ugyen Norbu Lhendup
    • Kelden Lhamo Gurung
    • Pawo Choyning Dorji
    • Pawo Choyning Dorji
  • Stars
    • Sherab Dorji
    • Ugyen Norbu Lhendup
    • Kelden Lhamo Gurung
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 44User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Videos2

    Trailer [OVS]
    Trailer 2:28
    Watch Trailer [OVS]
    Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom - Official US Trailer
    Trailer 2:13
    Watch Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom - Official US Trailer

    Photos19

    Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Sonam Tashi, Sherab Dorji, Pem Zam, Kelden Lhamo Gurung, Tandin Sonam, Sangay Lham, Tashi Dema, Chimi Dem, Dophu, and Tshering Dorji in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Sherab Dorji, Pem Zam, Kelden Lhamo Gurung, and Sangay Lham in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Sherab Dorji and Kelden Lhamo Gurung in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Ugyen Norbu Lhendup and Sherab Dorji in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Kelden Lhamo Gurung in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Pem Zam in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Ugyen Norbu Lhendup and Sherab Dorji in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Pem Zam, Tashi Dema, Chimi Dem, and Dophu in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Stephanie Lai, Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Sherab Dorji, Kelden Lhamo Gurung, and Pawo Choyning Dorji at an event for Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
    Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Sherab Dorji, Kelden Lhamo Gurung, and Pawo Choyning Dorji at an event for Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sherab Dorji
    • Ugyen Dorji
    Ugyen Norbu Lhendup
    • Michen
    Kelden Lhamo Gurung
    • Saldon
    Pem Zam
    • Pem Zam
    Sangay Lham
    • Kencho
    Chimi Dem
    • Pema
    Oriana Chen
    • Extra
    Tashi Dema
    • Lhamo
    Dophu
    • Phurba
    Tshering Dorji
    • Singye
    Art Finch
    • Bartender in Sydney
    Dorji Om
    • Education Secretary
    Tandin Sonam
    • Tashi
    Sonam Tashi
    • Tandin
    Kunzang Wangdi
    • Asha Jinpa, the Village Headman
    Tshering Zangmo
    • Personal Assistant to the Secretary
    • (as Tshering Zam)
    Tsheri Zom
    • Ugyen's Grandmother
      • Pawo Choyning Dorji
      • Pawo Choyning Dorji
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      All the actors in Lunana are highlanders, many of whom had never seen the outside world. They had never seen a movie, and had never seen cameras before. It was the also the first time they were using toothpaste.
    • Quotes

      Ugyen Dorji: Will the walk up be hard?

      Michen: It will be easy. It will be a stroll along the river for the first six days. Then there is a little climb. As we reach up there, the walk is so nice. You will wish it never ends.

    User reviews44

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Simple In Structure. Sincere In Approach. Soothing In Quality.
    Nominated for Best International Feature Film Oscar at the upcoming Academy Awards, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is simple in structure & earnest in its approach but the drama it packs in is a familiar one minus any conflict or complexity that's expected from such setups. Instead, it serves better as a fascinating insight into the Bhutanese culture & modest living through the unassuming ways of their countryfolk.

    Written & directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji, the story follows a schoolteacher with different aspirations who's sent to the most remote school in the world where he, detached from his westernised comforts, slowly begins to understand the value & importance of his work and learns to appreciate the beauty of rural life. The narrative unfolds at a quiet pace but fails to do anything interesting to make itself stand out from the norm.

    Shot in gorgeous mountainside locations and exquisitely assisted by its serene camerawork, the imagery comes imbued with a soothing quality & sense of calmness that makes the ride worthwhile but the transformation that our protagonist undergoes still feels simplistic since the story never digs into the character deeper than the surface and simply hurries through the process. Also, acting from the supporting cast is more authentic than the lead.

    Overall, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom isn't without its merits and is a sincere effort by all means. Where most similar stories work towards something more complex or ambitious, this one finds comfort in the stillness of its surroundings. Though it only glances at its themes and is devoid of surprises, its silent reflection on what it means to be a teacher and how the simplest events in life can profoundly affect our being makes this Bhutanese drama worth a shot.
    helpful•25
    1
    • CinemaClown
    • Feb 10, 2022

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 2020 (Bhutan)
      • Bhutan
      • China
      • Official site (Japan)
      • Official site (Taiwan)
      • Dzongkha
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Production companies
      • Dangphu Dingphu: A 3 Pigs Production
      • Huanxi Media Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 50 minutes
      • Color

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    Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Sonam Tashi, Sherab Dorji, Pem Zam, Kelden Lhamo Gurung, Tandin Sonam, Kunzang Wangdi, Sangay Lham, Chimi Dem, Dophu, and Tshering Dorji in Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2019)
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