Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

Ygyen is a recently graduated teacher full of dreams – not one of them actually involving teaching or classrooms. A rock fan, he has made plans to move to Australia and become a famous singer. But his plans are put on hold when he is sent to teach in the world’s most remote school, a duty he cannot escape. The village of Lunana in Bhutanese Himalaya houses only 56 inhabitants, and is located on a distant glacier, a week’s walk from the nearest road. Electricity is as much of a luxury here as is paper, school textbooks, and even a blackboard.

In this beautiful transformation journey, Ygyen also becomes a student – as he learns from the villagers about spiritual strengths in the face of hardships. A rare film shot entirely on location using only solar power, and the local community of Lunana as actors.

Leonardo Rodarte

Director

Pawo Choyning Dorji (b. 1984) is mostly known for his work as a photographer. His photography book Seeing Sacred: Lights & Shadows Along the Path has been featured in many media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal. While Lunana is Dorji’s first feature film as a director, he was the producer for the acclaimed Hema Hema: Sing Me a Song While I Wait (2016), which was awarded a special mention at Toronto International Film Festival.