Chaos in the kingdom: how Bhutan balanced between tradition and change

Chaos in the kingdom: how Bhutan balanced between tradition and change

at a time when many parts of the world are hit by chaos and conflicts, Bhutan presents itself as a peaceful oasis. This small, Buddhist kingdom in Himalaya has managed to keep its own calm in the middle of turbulence. However, Bhutan faces an exciting turn. The monarch has decided to give its population access to the Internet and television and to introduce democratic practices. But what does that mean for the people who are already happy?

The introduction of technologies and the structures of a democracy create both excitement and confusion in the country. The residents who have so far taken care of their happy existence in harmony with nature and their culture begin to ask what these changes mean for their everyday life and traditions. It is a profound inner conflict emotionality. On the one hand the progress, on the other the preservation of the acquaintance. How will life change in Bhutan if people have to learn how to work campaigns while working films run on TV? This shocking modernity brings questions that cannot be easily answered.

A lama takes the initiative

disillusioned by the sudden change, a highly vivid Lama gets obedient. He believes that pure happiness does not depend on external factors, but on the inside of deeply rooted. In his determination to preserve the communication of his community and protect its tradition, he instructs a young monk with an unusual mission: to obtain a rifle. The questions about the intention of the llama are diverse. What is this rifle? Is it a weapon of defense or threat? Should it preserve power Balances within the village or those who see the traditional values in danger in their barriers?

The tension among the villagers grows and the anticipation of the upcoming ceremony increases. The announcement of the lama has fueled both fear and expectation. What will happen when the lama appears with the rifle? Will he lead his community to a path of return to the roots or will the rifle accept a different meaning? In a country in which harmony and peace were once in the top priority, the answer to these questions will shape the course of the future of the kingdom.

The film, created in an international cooperation between Bhutan, France and the USA, tells a captivating story about the balancing act between tradition and modernity. "What does the lama want with the rifle?" Not only asks simple questions about reality in Bhutan, but also takes the audience on a journey to the complex dynamics that arise in every social change. With a term of 107 minutes, this uniquely staged story, which is awarded in different languages with subtitles, will be a critical reflection on what it means to live in today's world.

The cinematic examination of the challenges of change could also serve as a mirror for many other cultures that are facing similar decisions. It remains exciting to see how Bhutan, which is known for its innovative approaches to promote happiness, will deal with these new challenges. The fascination for the Tibetan culture and what she has to teach in a rapidly changing global context is increasing.

"What does the lama want with the rifle?" is a cinematic argument that is both entertaining and stimulating. It challenges the audience to think about the influence of modernization on pre -existing cultural values and the actual essence of human happiness.