The Monk, The Foreigner, The Purpose and The Gun

The situation keeps getting funnier and funnier when you see Master Tashi carrying a rare antique US Civil War rifle rather casually to his Lama, who has a specific reason for asking for it. The foreigner, having arrived from the USA, understands what the gun is worth and hopes to buy it from the monk. That doesn't quite happen, and it leads to a comedy of errors of sorts where there are now three guns in question. The only difference is - the motives of both sides. The satirical take on gun culture in the USA, the want for nothing but peace and prosperity in Bhutan and the scepticism to change - these things are blended so beautifully that it has you adoring and enjoying each and every scene more and more. The climax involving a special ritual in Bhutan is now one of the funniest ones you'll ever see owing to just what happens to the aforementioned USA visitor, his tourist guide, Benji, who is also a local man but more 'modern' than the people.The Monk and the Gun gives out a message but without being preachy or forceful. There is always going to be a general inhibition towards change, especially when it involves the entire country, but in that process, if innocence and basic humanity are lost, it is never worth it.The VerdictThe Monk and the Gun ends as subtly as you would imagine it to do so, but after that happens, some important information begins flashing, and they speak volumes about the country of Bhutan. In spite of the initial hurdles, Bhutan accepted modernization, and in 2008, it established a parliamentary government with an elected National Assembly and a National Council. Since then, it has continued to be one of the most peaceful countries to live in. What can be easily missed amid all this messaging is just how beautifully the frames of Bhutan have been captured in the film as well, which only adds to the mood and setting even more. Easily the best film I have seen at the MAMI Film Festival and one of the best this year. Rating - ****1/2 (4.5/5)