Summary

• The Monk and the Gun is a satirical comedy that critiques the potential Americanization of Bhutan's newly democratic society.
• The film portrays Bhutan's resistance to Western influence and its desire to preserve its peaceful way of life.
• The storylines in the film are strategically layered to deliver powerful messages with maximum impact. The film is both humorous and poignant.

The Monk and the Gun, Pawo Choyning Dorji's satirical comedy about democracy coming to Bhutan, does not withhold judgment towards the potential Americanization of Bhutan's future as a newly democratic nation. It is no secret that the United States attributed the concept of democracy, often being the sole representative of what a successful democracy looks like but somehow escaping blame for the more warped form of democracy that Dorji is explicitly criticizing here. For a film about Bhutan's first election and transition from monarchy to democracy, The Monk and the Gun is a decidedly anti-American film that will entertain.

The Monk & The Gun Is A Visually Stunning, Well-Written Satire

The film follows three main plot threads — the mock election to teach the Bhutanese people how to vote, despite many being loyal to the king, a young monk sent on a quest to retrieve two guns as ordered by his lama, and an American (Harry Einhorn) intent on finding a rare Civil War-era rifle that is strangely in Bhutan. Dorji's writing is layered yet never relies on heavy theatrical tropes to hammer down his point. A light, jovial approach is enough for a scathing commentary on democracy, guns, and general violence.

From the ubiquitous power of the color yellow, the quiet acceptance of Western violence and gun idolization, to an incredibly jarring yet hilarious red phallic symbol, Dorji's satire is keenly aware of the absurdity of major social, political and cultural changes, and he expertly conveys it with this historic transition. He uses what he has personally observed and learned of American history and Westernization and uses his craft to gently remind us that violence and capitalism aren't some danger that sweeps in like a tsunami, suddenly and without much warning; it is quite the opposite.

The Monk and the Gun Transports Audiences To An Ideal Bhutan

The colors of the natural world are vibrant, and the scenery expansive, evoking the feeling of being cut off from the world. Dorji captures Bhutan's serenity so beautifully that it makes me wonder why Bhutan even bothered to transition and open up to this world anyway. But that is the irony here — Dorji's film will evoke a strong aversion to Westernization and a desperate need to hold onto the contentment of what Bhutan was before.

Yet, Bhutan transitioned, slowly dropping the isolationist position and allowing the outside world to come in, though rebuffed by the Buddhist culture, which advocates a way of life that is antithetical to the American one. Dorji's perspective is that of someone who has lived in both worlds and is determined to preserve Bhutan; that is the vibrant, humorous, and good-natured version he depicts here.

The storylines are strategically layered so that Dorji's message and themes have maximum impact at the intersection points.

The Monk and the Gun is set in 2008, marked by the release of Daniel Craig’s second outing as James Bond in Quantum of Solace, but Bhutan feels like the last place on earth to the global interest for the British spy. Dorji emphasizes Bhutan's persistent desire for seclusion and its peaceful way of life through visuals and writing. He crafts such a stark contrast to what is a normal acceptance of gun culture and violence via their movies, with instances such as a Bhutanese man earnestly asking a hapless American arms dealer to converse with him about democracy.

To call the character oblivious or naive is wrong; as seen through their culture and the actions of the lama, there is an instinctive understanding that the world beyond their borders is corroded. As the film came to an end, I was left feeling that this film was Dorji’s way of bringing Bhutan to the outside world, hoping its influence is greater.

Dorji Expertly Crafts A Nuanced & Engaging Story

The storylines are strategically layered so that Dorji's message and themes have maximum impact at the intersection points. It's thrilling to see three seemingly unconnected plotlines come together so beautifully, and at the same time when it's revealed why the lama sent out his disciple to get two guns. Satires can often make people feel bad about what is being shown. I can for other seemingly fun satires making me feel hopeless or disillusioned, but this film is far from that.

The Monk and the Gun is a true crowd-pleaser, a poignant message wrapped up in a humorous and vibrant tale. The jokes gradually build to a laugh-out-loud moment that is also profoundly moving. Dorji may stumble here and there to get the humor going, but as a whole, the picture is so dynamic and the cast so entertaining that, for whatever minor shortcomings are perceived, Dorji more than makes up for it with his personal perspective.