The Monk and the Gun
Pawo Choyning Dorji made news with his empathetic and beautiful film Lunana a Yak in the Classroom, but with The Monk and The Gun, he goes in a more challenging direction. Following a mock election held in Bhutan’s newly forged democracy, Dorji elegantly dives into how this political change impacts the villagers on an interpersonal level. Whether it’s newfound prejudices, excitement of newfound voices, uncomfortable relationships with capitalism, Dorji explores Bhutan’s social change organically, without taking sides and just letting the village and its people breath. Despite the foreboding atmosphere and tension, there’s still a softness that comes from the direction take its time, making it easier to just sit with the ideas Dorji presents. The Monk and the Gun is one of those films that just sits with you for hours, even days after watching it. It’s a fascinating film well worth exploring.
