The Monk and the Gun – Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art

Pawo Choyning Dorji’s new film is a funny and touching tale with a criminal twist. This Buddhist parable, set in breathtaking Himalayas, shows that understanding the past is the key to change.

The year 2006 marks a turning point in the history of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Following the king’s abdication begins the journey of this small country not only towards modernisation but also towards becoming the world’s youngest democracy. One of the cornerstones of this system are general elections, which have never taken place here before. To this end, officials decide to organise a trial election to show how big a challenge they will be facing in the near future.

The difficulties lie especially in remote areas where some residents do not even know their exact date of birth. In many places tradition plays a key role and religion matters much more than politics. For the local community, the monks remain the greatest authorities, and they have their own opinion about the whole situation. And as if that wasn’t enough, a certain American arms collector also gets involved in this important moment for the country’s modern history.