Bhutanese cinema is making waves on the global stage, thanks to the visionary work of director Pawo Chonying Dorji. His films, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom and The Monk and the Gun, have collectively garnered over USD 3 million in international revenue, marking a historic achievement for Bhutanese filmmaking.
Pawo Chonying Dorji, 41, has captivated global audiences with his unique storytelling. His debut feature, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, received an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards. Following this success, his second film, The Monk and the Gun, was shortlisted for the same category at the 96th Academy Awards.
According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom has earned USD 2 million, while The Monk and the Gun has accumulated USD 1 million so far. Remarkably, Lunana continues to draw audiences in Japan and Brazil, where it has broken records by running in theaters for over a year—far exceeding the typical one to two-month run of most international films.
The Monk and the Gun has recently begun its international theatrical release in France, Italy, and the United States, with future releases planned for Spain, Germany, and Austria. The film has been translated into several languages, including English, French, Korean, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Slovenian, and Norwegian. Lunana has also been translated into over 27 languages.
In an exclusive interview with Kuensel, Dorji expressed his gratitude and humility. “As a Bhutanese filmmaker, this success is incredibly humbling. Despite the challenges we faced, especially filming in the remote region of Lunana with limited amenities, the support of audiences has been inspiring.”
Dorji emphasized the importance of audience support in filmmaking. “Artists create for the sake of the audience, and it is their support that drives us to create more,” he said. He believes that the international success of his films demonstrates a strong global interest in Bhutanese stories and serves as a beacon for other local filmmakers.
“This success shows that Bhutanese films have a market beyond our borders,” Dorji added. “It’s important for us to explore new avenues to promote Bhutan and its culture, leveraging the soft power of the arts.”
With budgets of USD 200,000 for Lunana and USD 700,000 for The Monk and the Gun, Dorji’s films have been produced with limited resources. He argues that the government should support the Bhutanese film industry more effectively, suggesting incentives and regulatory easing as crucial steps. “Building new cinemas won’t help much when domestic markets are struggling. Instead, supporting filmmakers and their craft will have a more significant impact.”
Pawo Chonying Dorji, the youngest recipient of Bhutan’s highest civilian honor, the Druk Thuksey, is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His films not only highlight Bhutanese culture but also contribute significantly to the global film landscape.
The success of these films marks a transformative moment for Bhutanese cinema, showcasing the potential for small, developing nations to make a significant impact on the international stage.
