Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

(Screening with short film BAMA)... Shot with solar powered batteries in the Himalayan village of Lunana (population 56), this glorious directorial debut takes place in one of the most secluded and undeveloped areas of the entire world. Ugyen is an aspiring singer living in Bhutan’s capital. He dreams of moving to Australia but first he must finish his final year of teaching service. Slacking on his duties, he is punished by being assigned to “the world’s most remote school”. After an eight-day trek, Ugyen reaches the high-altitude village with more yak dung than people, few amenities, and a bunch of eager-to-learn kids who’ve never seen a car. He’s determined to leave as soon as he can despite the local community’s warm welcome. As winter approaches, he slowly succumbs to the charm of the community and its traditions.