In this edition of Meet Me at the Movies: Open Dialogue, Thomas Manning talks with writer and director Pawo Choyning Dorji about The Monk and The Gun, Bhutan’s submission for the Best International Feature category at the 96th Academy Awards.

Kelsang Choejey in THE MONK AND THE GUN. Photo courtesy of Roadside Attractions.

Dorji’s second film, following up his Oscar-nominated Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, The Monk and The Gun is a marvelous portrait of the power of love, hope, and compassion in the midst of rapidly changing tides. Throughout this conversation, Dorji speaks about the significance of happiness to Bhutan’s culture, as well as the relationship between happiness and filmmaking.

Clip and photos are used with permission for interview and commentary purposes. Manning is a registered film journalist with the Critics Choice Association, SEFCA, and the NCFCA.

Official Synopsis:

An elderly lama (Kelsang Choejey), recognizing that extraordinary change is about to sweep through his country, is troubled by the possible outcomes. He instructs his young disciple Tashi (Tandin Wangchuk) to set forth into the kingdom and bring him two guns before the full moon to “set it right.” The young monk is perplexed by his guru’s request, and his familiarity with guns is based solely on images from the only film available on television: James Bond. His quest brings him into contact with a scheming American gun collector Ron (Harry Einhorn), leading to a most unexpected outcome.

In select theaters February 9th, 2024.

For more information, head to official Roadside Attractions The Monk and The Gun webpage.

Thomas Manning is a member of the NCFCA, SEFCA, and CCA, and also the co-host of the television show and radio program Meet Me at the Movies. He has served as a production assistant and voting member on the Film Selection Committee for the Real to Reel Film Festival. Additionally, he manages his own film review and interview site, The Run-Down on Movies. Manning is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University with a double-major in Communications and English. His passion for cinema and storytelling is rivaled only by his love for the music of Taylor Swift.

Categories: Filmmaker Interviews

Tags: Bhutan, Choeying Jatsho, Deki Lhamo, directing, drama, English, foreign film, France, Harry Einhorn, interview, Kelsang Choejay, Meet Me at the Movies, Open Dialogue, Pawo Choyning Dorji, Pema Zangmo Sherpa, Roadside Attractions, Taiwan, Tandin Phubz, Tandin Sonam, Tandin Wangchuk, Thomas Manning, United States, WGWG, writing, Yuphel Lhendup Selden