Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

The story behind Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is almost as heartwarming as the tale that it tells...

It’s reassuringly familiar and nicely done.

[This] coming-of-age story is sweet and warm, if a bit predictable.

This leisurely, quietly euphoric film lets you breathe the visual and sonic fresh air of its setting — yet the Lunana section itself is not without a romanticising streak.

There is something winning in this calm, walking-pace drama – and the landscape is amazing.

There are lots of gently beautiful moments in ­Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, the first film from the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan to be nominated for an Oscar.

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom was written, directed and produced by first time filmmaker Pawo Choyning Dorji. Dorji is a Buddhist, which in retrospect comes as no surprise&#59; the story he tells unfolds like a Buddhist fable for modern times.

The sort of film that the word "charmer" was made for.

This is a warm and involving exploration of the clash between community and individualism, pitting an ancient culture against modern aspirations. And with its terrific cast of characters, the movie feels like it's a gift to the world.

Lunana does have charms, including beautiful mountainous scenery, and Pawo Choyning Dorji’s film uses them to create a loveable tale.