L'école du bout du monde

Bhutan! My first film that talks about this country and I must say that it was quite captivating to listen and watch the people from this remote place:) Albeit their claim of fame is how happy they are, at least at the official levels, the movies shows the regular life of villagers and city folks: not as happy as they say. Love, community life, family , are all universal expressions that have been captured countless times in movies, but the unique setting of this particular movie, combined with a very unique culture, make this endeavor stand out! Again, nothing ground-breaking here, but just a very enjoyable, well made movie.

Oscar nominee for International Film. Pawo Choyning Dorji's debut tells the universal story of a teacher sent to a tiny village to educate the local children. Sherab Dorji is Ugyen, a twenty-something who lives in Bhutan's capitol of Thimphu when he is dispatched to distant Lunana - population 56, and, with very limited electricity. It's considered so isolated that the school is referred to as the most remote in the world.

Dorji, who also wrote the screenplay, keeps things simple. There are no grand gestures or revelations, just Ugyen interacting with the locals. The theme of making a connection with the schoolkids may be plain to see (and, of course, it works vice-versa), but, it's done in a soulful way with no cloying or artificial drama injected into the mix. It's very lack of pretentiousness is its charm.

And, yes, there IS a Yak who lives in the makeshift classroom. All the more appropriate since the unofficial Lunana song is a paean to yaks.

Just keep a gopro on anyone who is going to Lunana and you will get the entire scene, dialogue and emotion. The film is so real and well done. Overall an excellent movie.

Most of the extra hospitality shown by the people of Lunana may not be convincing for the people from outside, but its true: thats the way it is, the people in the villages are so welcoming and the movie shows it very well. From time to time, many teachers from India was working in some of these remote places of Bhutan. Many who returned were fed-up with the city life in India or outside and then went back.

In 2018 Indian teachers who worked in Bhutan were invited for a reception program in Kolkatta, India and Thimpu and HM thanked all of them personally. Many of the first set of teachers, who worked for more than 30 years in remote Bhutan were filled with tears bringing back the emotional connection between them and the villagers. A video which was played during the session in which the real hurdle of reaching some of the remote places was shown.. How they walked for days to reach some of these remote places. This element of emotion and hardship was much more intense.

Yes, actually the people in these villages are happy. May be the length could have been cut down a little to remove some of the cliche.

Must watch movie. Hope it reaches the OTT platforms soon.

Such a simple movie plot of a young teacher who questions if he wants to stay a teacher or emigrate to Australia.

He is sent for his final service year to the highlands of Bhutan to teach in a village who have no electricity or even a blackboard in the school, yet the spirit of the villagers is so honourable and so thankful for what they have it is a pleasure to see how the community thrives and looks after each other.

The kids in the movie are real highlanders and had never seen a camera before this movie was made.

It is a fantastic insight into the human spirit.

A total joy to watch, this is one for an Oscar award.

See for yourself.

A deceptively simple film that deeply probes into the meaning of 'home' and 'exile' - both literally as well as emotionally. A wonderful exploration of 'belonging' and 'longing'. I have rarely seen a movie where joy and sadness sit so finely balanced together. Set in a stunningly beautiful location, its real beauty lies in the depiction of the genuine warmth, kindness, mutual respect and general goodness of the villagers bringing about the gentle transformation of the teacher. Long may these communities continue, they may just have the answers to the questions that so many of us don't even know how to ask anymore. The role of Pem Zam, the young class captain, is inspired casting - the girl just shines! A film to truly warm you where it matters. (Thank you to the WOW Festival 2021 for screening this)