Bhutan in Focus: The Call of the Mountains at the Kolkata French Film Festival 2025

Last year, a French film, ”La Tresse” (The Braid), premiered for the Bhutanese people during the Bhutan Echoes Film Festival, as part of the Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival. On this occasion, Dr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, announced his intention to foster film cooperation between France and Bhutan. To this end, two initiatives were conceived.

With the screening of several French movies in the presence of a renowned French director, the 2025 edition of the Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival will be an occasion for the Bhutanese public to explore French cinema.

It was also decided that Bhutan would be the focus country for the second edition of the Kolkata French Film Festival (3FK). The film festival, running from 22nd February to 1st March, expands the vision of global cinema in India’s cultural capital: one of the festival’s most exciting new additions is "Call of the Mountains", a section dedicated to films from mountainous regions that explore themes of nature, tradition, and the evolving relationship between communities and their environments. With Bhutan is in the spotlight, four of its most acclaimed films are being showcased during the festival, and one of its most celebrated directors, Dechen Roder, will attend as guest of honour.

Bhutan and Cinema: A Rising Force

While Bhutan is often regarded as a mystical land hidden in the Himalayas, its film industry has emerged as a compelling new voice in world cinema.

Unlike India’s Bollywood or Hollywood’s mainstream productions, Bhutanese films are deeply introspective, drawing from Buddhist philosophy and folklore, and bears a strong connection to nature. This slow but steady development in Bhutan’s cinematic landscape is being recognized internationally, particularly in France, and the screening of Bhutanese films in 3FK 2025 is a testament to this evolution.

The festival’s Bhutanese focus marks an important step in promoting new cultural ties between India and Bhutan, two nations that share deep historical and cultural connections. By featuring four Bhutanese films, the festival provides an opportunity for Indian audiences to engage with Bhutan’s cinematic storytelling, which is still largely unknown outside the country. France is honoured to contribute to this endeavour.

At the centre of this spotlight is Dechen Roder, a pioneering female filmmaker whose work blends mysticism, suspense, and strong female narratives. She has been invited to present two of her films, "Honeygiver among the Dogs" and "I, The Song", and to attend the festival’s closing ceremony as guest of honour.

A Closer Look at the Bhutanese Films in the Festival

1. "Honeygiver among the Dogs" (2016) – Directed by Dechen Roder
This neo-noir detective thriller, which follows Detective Kinley as he tracks down a missing Buddhist nun, was groundbreaking for Bhutanese cinema. The detective’s prime suspect, Choden, is rumoured to be a demoness from Bhutanese folklore. However, as the investigation deepens, Kinley begins to question everything he thought he knew about faith, morality, and justice.
By blending Buddhist spiritual elements with those of film noir , Roder creates a unique cinematic experience that has captivated international film critics.

2. "I, The Song" (2019) – Directed by Dechen Roder and Tandin Wangchuk

One of Bhutan’s most awarded films, "I, The Song" dominated the Bhutan National Film Awards, winning in almost every category, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and multiple acting awards.

The film follows a schoolteacher who travels to southern Bhutan in search of her doppelgänger. What begins as a simple journey quickly turns into a spiritual and philosophical exploration, as she finds herself entangled in a mystery surrounding a stolen sacred song.

Produced with French, Norwegian, Taiwanese, and Italian collaborations, the film has already been showcased at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and IFFI Goa.

3. "Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom" (2019) – Directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji

This film made history in Bhutanese cinema, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best International Feature.
The story follows Ugyen, a reluctant young teacher sent to a remote Himalayan village, where he must teach children despite the harsh living conditions. Over time, he discovers the warmth, wisdom, and resilience of the community, transforming his perspective on life.

With stunning visuals and a powerful emotional core, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is an essential film in Bhutan’s cinematic legacy.

4. "Agent of Happiness" (2022) – Directed by Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó

This documentary explores Bhutan’s unique Gross National Happiness Index through the story of Amber, a happiness agent tasked with measuring the well-being of villagers.
As Amber travels across Bhutan’s remote landscapes, the film offers a rare and intimate portrait of life in the Himalayas, while also asking profound questions about what it truly means to be happy.

Dechen Roder: A Trailblazing Filmmaker

As guest of honour at this year’s festival, Dechen Roder represents a bold new generation of Bhutanese filmmakers.
Her films challenge traditional gender roles, explore moral ambiguity, and blend the spiritual and the physical with distinctive cinematic elan. With Honeygiver among the Dogs and I, The Song, she has put Bhutanese cinema on the international map.

In addition to presenting her films, Roder has been invited to participate in discussions on Bhutanese cinema’s evolution and its growing place in the global film industry.

Bhutan, Kolkata, and the Power of Cinema

Kolkata, often called the cinematic heart of India, has long been a meeting point for world cinema. It was here that Jean Renoir filmed "The River" in 1952, and it was in this city that he met Satyajit Ray, inspiring the birth of India’s parallel cinema movement.

By highlighting Bhutanese films, this year’s festival continues the tradition of cultural exchange, offering audiences a rare chance to experience the visual poetry of Bhutan’s mountains, valleys, and deep spiritual traditions.

The inclusion of Bhutan in 3FK 2025 also underscores the importance of environmental storytelling. The "Call of the Mountains" section is not just about celebrating films from high-altitude regions—it is a call to protect, preserve, and honour the fragile beauty of these landscapes.

A Historic Moment for Bhutanese Cinema

The second edition of the Kolkata French Film Festival is also a platform for discovering new voices.
By featuring Bhutan in such a significant way, the festival reinforces its commitment to showcasing diverse storytelling traditions and strengthening artistic ties between France and Bhutan.
As Dechen Roder takes centre stage, and as the audience witnesses the breathtaking beauty and depth of Bhutanese cinema, we are reminded once again that cinema knows no borders.
From the snow-capped peaks of Bhutan to the bustling streets of Kolkata, cinema continues to connect us all in profound and unexpected ways. Reciprocally, we look forward to the Bhutanese public experiencing France and its cinema during the upcoming edition of Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival. It will be our honour to be part of this major event.

(Contributed by French Embassy in India - Consulate General in Kolkata)

The opinion piece was published in Bhutan’s newspaper Kuensel on 28th February 2025.