Popular reviews

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  Review by Matt Neglia ★★★★

  THE MONK AND THE GUN presents a traditional way of life undergoing drastic change with rich thematic texture. Loved the vibrant, gorgeous images of Bhutan & the modest but candidly funny dialogue. A pleasantly surprising & confident evolution from Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom.

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  Review by Robert Daniels ★★★★½

  Such a thematically rich, politically profound, exquisitely beautiful, controlled, navigation between modernity and tradition, which considers what is lost when you think you’ve gained.

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  Review by Dizzle_Sizzle ★★★½

  The momentary halting of democracy's encroachment thanks to unproblematic, ageless traditionalism as a constant integral to the happiness and contentment that have never wavered in its maintenance. An intersection of East and West that shuns the latter via frequently sweet, blissful ignorance of the horrors committed over yonder in spite of what outsiders are attempting to push on this populace, clearest dichotomy reigning over what such a drastic shift could bring. Exudes an air of urgency without even tiptoeing over the line into the realm of explosive dourness, humanity and a particular way of life governing the goings-on in a manner that's easy to appreciate, even as the centrally (potentially) Chekhovian aspect of this tends to command your attention.

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  Review by komodoskar ★★★½

  After watching multiple recent festivals releases that revel in their ambiguity (Anatomy of a Fall, Monster, Evil Does Not Exist), there's something very refreshing about the straightforwardness of The Monk and the Gun. With its undeniably unique perspective, the film tells its story of modernisation, tradition, and political development with simplicity and frankness. The film's comedy and spirited tone are easy to like, and whilst it might sometimes feel a little "dumbed-down", the story it weaves is very well done and it is charming throughout. The Monk and the Gun is the first film I've seen from Bhutan, a nation with a perspective and cinematic heritage like few others, and, given how much I liked this film, I doubt it will be the last.

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  Review by Mark ★★★½

  I've seen two Bhutanese films in my life and they are both critiques of the Gross National Happiness policy and its impact on the population. Interesting that from an outside perspective it sounds like one of the more thoughtful and benevolent priorities I've ever heard of a state enacting, but it seems deeply controversial from the art being created about it.

  I love a satire which feels like it has no jokes in it. There aren't very many moments in The Monk and the Gun where you'd laugh out loud, but the whole thing is extremely funny. The clash of superimposed modernity against tradition, with all these quiet little nods to the depth of those traditions being impossible to undermine,…

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  Review by Marya E. Gates ★★★★★

  no notes. perfect.

  An Altman-esque ensemble comedy that is both a warm tribute to Bhutanese traditions and also a hilarious, biting political satire with plenty of criticism of American gun culture. My favorite film of the festival.

  TIFF #27

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  Review by Leesah Sea ★★★★

  TIFF 2023 Film #7

  THE MONK AND THE GUN has to be the hidden gem of TIFF for me this year. This charming and funny satire had me smiling throughout while the stunning cinematography had my eyes glued to the screen (the majestic mountain region of Bhutan!!). The performances are also great (including the non-professional actors). Keep your eyes out for this small film.

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  Review by Eternality Tan ★★★½

  Works almost like a satirical comedy, this pleasant sophomore feature from the ‘Lunana’ director explores the Bhutanese way of life in light of the country’s modernisation of culture and politics.

  Review - wp.me/pat7iE-63R

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  Review by Tanmay ★★★½

  This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  Fairly good stuff.

  Pawo Choyning Dorji (Oscar nominee director of Lunana A Yak In The Classroom) writes a polite pacifist letter to American democracy, the red/blue state politics and western gun violence bleeding into a unitary monarchy. All tied together in a comical hyperlink tale of the attitudes of Bhutan. There’s also some tickling critiques to India as well.

  Good mountainous locations and topography is put on screen. There’s also a gentle tone that expresses a slow moving Bhutanese life to the actions on screen. Part of me hoped this would be hard hitting in metaphors and not plain-obvious-themes; but hey at least Dorji’s sincerity is in the right place.

  Some anachronistic details of bringing a 2006 Bhutan on screen…

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  Review by Alex Billington ★★★★½

  OMG. Loved this. Really, really loved this. A fascinating philosophical look at life in Bhutan, told with confidence and shot perfectly. It's also a brilliant commentary on America's stubborn ways, as opposed to the more sensible Bhutan society based in Buddhism. Absolutely magnificent script, and wholesome performances from everyone all around. I'm smitten. Automatic favorite film! Will probably rewatch and dig into it more sometime later on.

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  Review by James Mason ★★★★½

  A warm hearted, funny, and pretty-looking film about Bhutan's introduction to democracy in the 2000s.

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  Review by Chris Feil ★★½

  Correctly posits that Quantum of Solace sucks