The Monk and the Gun Movie Details:
| Movie Name | The Monk and the Gun |
|---|---|
| Countries | Bhutan France United States Taiwan |
| Languages | Dzongkha English |
| Genre | Drama |
| Release Dates | September 1, 2023 (Telluride) February 2, 2024 (USA) |
| Running Time | 1hr 47min |
| Age rating | PG-13 |
| Cast | Tandin Wangchuk Deki Lhamo Pema Zangmo Sherpa Tandin Sonam Harry Einhorn Choeying Jatsho |
| Directed by | Pawo Choyning Dorji |
| Written by | Pawo Choyning Dorji |
| Produced by | Pawo Choyning Dorji Feng Hsu Stephanie Lai Jean-Christophe Simon Janee Pennington-Watson |
| Cinematography by | Jigme Tenzing |
| Edited by | Hsiao Yun-Ku |
| Music by | Frederic Alvarez |
| Production Companies | An Amandala Production CNC Aide aux cinémas du monde – Institut Français Closer Media Dangphu Dingphu: A 3 Pigs Production Films Boutique Journey to The East Films N8 Studios The Jim Henson Company Tomson Films Visions Sud Est Wooden Trailer Productions |
| Distributor | Pyramide Distribution (France) Roadside Attractions (United States) Films Boutique (International) |
The Monk and the Gun Movie Cast & Characters:
- Harry Einhorn as Ron Colman
- Tandin Wangchuk as Tashi
- Deki Lhamo as Tshomo
- Pema Zangmo Sherpa as Tshering Yangden
- Tandin Sonam as Benji
- Choeying Jatsho as Choephel
- Tandin Phubz as Phurba
- Yuphel Lhendup Selden
- Kelsang Choejay
Storyline:
The Monk And The Gun captures the wonder and disruption as Bhutan becomes one of the world’s youngest democracies. Known throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and its emphasis on Gross National Happiness, the remote 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.
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.
About The Monk and the Gun Movie:
- The Monk and the Gun is an international co-production drama film, starring Tandin Wangchuk, Deki Lhamo, Pema Zangmo Sherpa, and Tandin Sonam. The film was written, directed, and co-produced by Pawo Choyning Dorji.
- It is a co-production between Bhutan, France, the United States and Taiwan.
- The Monk and the Gun was selected as the Bhutanese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards, and was one of the 15 finalist films in the December shortlist.
- The film had its world premiere on September 1, 2023, at the 50th Telluride Film Festival, and then screened on September 9 in the Centerpiece section of the 48th Toronto International Film Festival. The film was also invited at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in the ‘A Window on Asian Cinema’ section and was screened in October 2023.
- The Monk and the Gun was released theatrically in the United States on February 2, 2024, by Roadside Attractions.
