A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM ENTERS OSCARS!

There is actually a Yak in the classroom in the film, “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” a Bhutanese film shortlisted for the Oscar. Only very few countries made it to the short list for 2022. Bhutan is one among such countries as its film industry is in its nascent stage.

Directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji, the film follows Ugyen (Sherab Dorji), who is struggling with his chosen profession of teaching. But he is disappointed to learn that for his final year of training, he’ll be sent to teach in Lunana – the nation’s most remote school and a staggering seven-day walk from the nearest drop-off point. The high altitude and lack of amenities finds Ugyen wanting to leave almost as soon as he arrives, but the local children welcome him and try to win him over. He must decide whether to stay or go before the punishing winter reaches this glacial part of the Himalayas. He stays back.