Official Trailer for Outstanding ‘The Monk and The Gun’ from Bhutan
by Alex Billington
December 7, 2023
Source: YouTube
“Why would a monk take our gun?” Roadside Attr. has unveiled the US trailer for the exceptional new film The Monk and The Gun made in the remote mountainous country of Bhutan by Bhutanese filmmaker Pawo Choyning Dorji (who was already nominated for an Oscar for his last film Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom). This premiered at the 2023 Telluride & Toronto Film Festivals and is also Bhutan’s submission to the Oscars this year, of course. I had a chance to see the film and LOVED it. An elderly lama, recognizing that extraordinary change is about to sweep through his country as they are introducing democratic voting, is troubled by the possible outcomes. He instructs his young disciple Tashi to set forth into the kingdom and bring him two guns before the full moon to “set it right.” His quest brings him into contact with a scheming American gun collector Ron, leading to a most unexpected ending. Starring Tandin Wangchuk, Kelsang Choejey, Harry Einhorn, Pema Zangmo Sherpa, and Deki Lhamo. I raved about this in my review, calling it a “brilliant satirical commentary” that’s also a “pleasant and uplifting experience.” A must watch.
Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Pawo Choyning Dorji’s The Monk and The Gun, on YouTube:
The Monk And The Gun captures the wonder & disruption as Bhutan becomes one of the world’s youngest democracies. Known throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and their emphasis on “Gross National Happiness”, the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan was the last nation to connect to the internet and television. And if that weren’t enough change, the King announced shortly afterwards that he would cede his power to the people via their vote and a new form of government: Democracy. The Monk and The Gun is both written and directed by the Bhutanese filmmaker Pawo Choyning Dorji, his second feature after making Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom previously. Produced by Jean-Christophe Simon, Stephanie Lai, Feng Hsu, and Pawo Choyning Dorji. This initially premiered at the 2023 Telluride & Toronto Film Festivals (read our review), and opened in Bhutan in October already. Roadside Attractions will debut The Monk and The Gun in select US theaters starting on February 2nd, 2024 coming up soon. Who wants to watch this?
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