There is belief that “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom,” can win the Oscars
Bhutan made history as the film, “Lunana: A Yak in the classroom” reached the last five in the international best feature movie category for the Oscars. In the next 12 hours or so, the world will know if this movie from one of the least developed movie industries in the world makes another milestone by winning the award. Nonetheless, the entire nation, especially those aware of the event are holding their breath and praying for yet another giant step.
Director of the movie, Pawo Choyning Dorji, who is in Los Angeles (LA), the USA said he is excited and nervous. While he does not want to raise the expectations of Bhutanese and supporters around the world, Pawo said reaching the last five itself is a major achievement and that this was possible because of the prayers and inspiration of all Bhutanese. He had earlier told this paper it is not about the film, but about Bhutan.
Tandin Wangchuk, who was once part of Bhutan’s movie industry said he is very nervous and anxious.” I firmly believe that it should win, because the film is a class in itself. You should read what Subhash K Jha, a Patna-based film critic has written,” Tandin said. Saying “Lunana” may even win the honors, Subhash has written that the film’s “simplicity and elegance are exemplary.” “Its love for its country is so genuine although I did not see anyone running across the frames with a flag,” Prakash has written, adding that though he does not understand a word of the Dzongkha language, he hardly consulted the subtitles to get the point. “This is the way cinema was always meant to be. The least important component in cinema should be the spoken word,” he has said.
The film critic has further written that he has “not stopped wondering about what will happen to Pem Zam.” “That is what movies should do to you. They should take something away from you for keeps as you take something away too. Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom does that. Will it win the Oscar? I certainly hope so. It is certainly a finer film, more controlled and far less self-indulgent than Japan’s shortlisted entry Drive My Car,” Prakash has underlined.
Lobzang Choeda, a Thimphu resident who has been following the movie said the quality and potential of Lunana, to win the Oscars was best described by Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, who had earlier described “Lunana” as a “breath of fresh air.” “I have watched two from the other four selected; ‘Drive my car’ and ‘The Hand of God.’ Lunana is far ahead and I am not saying this as a Bhutanese,” Lobzang said. According to Lobzang, Lunana’s “universality” makes it exceptional. “It is about the pursuit of happiness and finding something in a place that we least expect. This is a universal theme,” he added.
Ugyen Lham, a civil servant who has watched “Lunana,” said that if the film does not win the Oscars, one of the main reasons will be “money.” “The others will be having dozens of lobbyists, including their governments, throwing in money. I do not mean to say that the other movies will win just because of money; I am saying that it could make a big difference,” she said. However, Ugyen says reaching the final five itself is a big achievement. “But winning the Oscars; I just cannot imagine this. It will be a big boost for Bhutan’s film industry, especially for those who are venturing into the industry,” she said. “I am praying for this,” she added.
Rinchen Dorji, from Paro, who says he has been following the film ever since he watched it at Thimphu emphasized on the international media coverage that the film had received. “Some say that the coverage would have been done because Bhutan is special and unique. However, what we should know is that Bhutan is no longer that ‘sandwiched’ country that used to be a decade ago,” he said. Rinchen added that the film has “done the impossible” because of what it is. “Papers like the New York Times, Al Jazeera and others will not report if it is not worth news. Yes! A film from a small country making to the last five is news, but more than that it is about the worth of the film,” he said.
According to Rinchen, the simplicity and universality of the film are the two strong pillars. “The film’s tagline is ‘Find what you seek, in a place you never expected’ and as said by Director of the film, Pawo, it reflects on and celebrates the quest for belonging, togetherness and community. “There is universality in the particular and particularity in the universal,” Pawo had said. This, Rinchen says is what makes the film “a deserving one.”
Meanwhile, director Pawo Choyning Dorji had said that the film has reached this level because of the collective support of the crew, cast and support from all Bhutanese. Highlighting that it is the journey which matters, he had expressed satisfaction that the film has created a space for future Bhutanese story tellers to build on.
“Lunana: A Yak in the classroom,” will be competing with “Drive My Car” (Japan), “The Worst Person in the World” (Norway) “Flee” ( Denmark) and “The Hand of God” (Italy). While there will be just one winner, as mentioned by a local filmmaker earlier, “making to the last five is similar to winning the award.”
Bhutan made history as the film, “Lunana: A Yak in the classroom” reached the last five in the international best feature movie category for the Oscars. In the next 12 hours or so, the world will know if this movie from one of the least developed movie industries in the world makes another milestone by winning the award. Nonetheless, the entire nation, especially those aware of the event are holding their breath and praying for yet another giant step.
Director of the movie, Pawo Choyning Dorji, who is in Los Angeles (LA), the USA said he is excited and nervous. While he does not want to raise the expectations of Bhutanese and supporters around the world, Pawo said reaching the last five itself is a major achievement and that this was possible because of the prayers and inspiration of all Bhutanese. He had earlier told this paper it is not about the film, but about Bhutan.
Tandin Wangchuk, who was once part of Bhutan’s movie industry said he is very nervous and anxious.” I firmly believe that it should win, because the film is a class in itself. You should read what Subhash K Jha, a Patna-based film critic has written,” Tandin said. Saying “Lunana” may even win the honors, Subhash has written that the film’s “simplicity and elegance are exemplary.” “Its love for its country is so genuine although I did not see anyone running across the frames with a flag,” Prakash has written, adding that though he does not understand a word of the Dzongkha language, he hardly consulted the subtitles to get the point. “This is the way cinema was always meant to be. The least important component in cinema should be the spoken word,” he has said.
The film critic has further written that he has “not stopped wondering about what will happen to Pem Zam.” “That is what movies should do to you. They should take something away from you for keeps as you take something away too. Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom does that. Will it win the Oscar? I certainly hope so. It is certainly a finer film, more controlled and far less self-indulgent than Japan’s shortlisted entry Drive My Car,” Prakash has underlined.
Lobzang Choeda, a Thimphu resident who has been following the movie said the quality and potential of Lunana, to win the Oscars was best described by Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, who had earlier described “Lunana” as a “breath of fresh air.” “I have watched two from the other four selected; ‘Drive my car’ and ‘The Hand of God.’ Lunana is far ahead and I am not saying this as a Bhutanese,” Lobzang said. According to Lobzang, Lunana’s “universality” makes it exceptional. “It is about the pursuit of happiness and finding something in a place that we least expect. This is a universal theme,” he added.
Ugyen Lham, a civil servant who has watched “Lunana,” said that if the film does not win the Oscars, one of the main reasons will be “money.” “The others will be having dozens of lobbyists, including their governments, throwing in money. I do not mean to say that the other movies will win just because of money; I am saying that it could make a big difference,” she said. However, Ugyen says reaching the final five itself is a big achievement. “But winning the Oscars; I just cannot imagine this. It will be a big boost for Bhutan’s film industry, especially for those who are venturing into the industry,” she said. “I am praying for this,” she added.
Rinchen Dorji, from Paro, who says he has been following the film ever since he watched it at Thimphu emphasized on the international media coverage that the film had received. “Some say that the coverage would have been done because Bhutan is special and unique. However, what we should know is that Bhutan is no longer that ‘sandwiched’ country that used to be a decade ago,” he said. Rinchen added that the film has “done the impossible” because of what it is. “Papers like the New York Times, Al Jazeera and others will not report if it is not worth news. Yes! A film from a small country making to the last five is news, but more than that it is about the worth of the film,” he said.
According to Rinchen, the simplicity and universality of the film are the two strong pillars. “The film’s tagline is ‘Find what you seek, in a place you never expected’ and as said by Director of the film, Pawo, it reflects on and celebrates the quest for belonging, togetherness and community. “There is universality in the particular and particularity in the universal,” Pawo had said. This, Rinchen says is what makes the film “a deserving one.”
Meanwhile, director Pawo Choyning Dorji had said that the film has reached this level because of the collective support of the crew, cast and support from all Bhutanese. Highlighting that it is the journey which matters, he had expressed satisfaction that the film has created a space for future Bhutanese story tellers to build on.
“Lunana: A Yak in the classroom,” will be competing with “Drive My Car” (Japan), “The Worst Person in the World” (Norway) “Flee” ( Denmark) and “The Hand of God” (Italy). While there will be just one winner, as mentioned by a local filmmaker earlier, “making to the last five is similar to winning the award.”
