Guwahati: Amid the unceasing violence that has plagued Manipur for over 16 months, an incredible feat has brought a ray of hope to the crisis-hit state.
Manipuri filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi’s debut film ‘Boong’ premiered at the prestigious ‘Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)’ on Saturday (September 7, 2024).
For the first time ever, a Manipuri fiction film featured in TIFF’s Discovery section, marking a significant milestone for the Northeastern state and its film industry.
The A-grade film festival is being held at Canada’s Toronto from September 5 to 15, 2024.
Manipuri cinema, often overlooked despite its rich legacy, has faced numerous challenges in the recent past.
The absence of awards for Manipur in the ‘2022 National Film Awards’ had dampened spirits, with critics predicting its decline.
However, Boong’s selection at TIFF has revived interest bringing global attention back to Manipuri cinema.
Before Boong, only two Manipuri films had been showcased at TIFF – the classic ‘Imagi Ningthem’ by Aribam Syam Sharma and the documentary ‘A Cry in the Dark’ by Haobam Paban Kumar.
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With Boong, the spotlight is once again on Manipur, offering a glimpse into the state’s rich yet often overlooked cinematic tradition.
Backed by Bollywood’s Excel Entertainment, Boong tells the story of a young boy’s journey to reunite his broken family, set in Imphal West’s Khurukhul village and Moreh town on the India-Myanmar border.
The film follows a young boy’s emotional journey to reunite his broken family by bringing home his absentee father.
Beyond its narrative, Boong is a love letter to Manipur, capturing the town’s essence and the spirit of its people, who lived in harmony before the violence broke out in May 2023.
Shot just months before the ethnic violence erupted that tore through the state, Boong stands as a poignant documentation of Manipur that now feels distant.
Moreh, once a thriving town known for its diversity, was a place where communities coexisted peacefully.
The film was a community effort, with residents from different ethnic backgrounds contributing to its production.
“It gives me chills to think that Boong might be the last documentation of Moreh as it was before the violence. The town, the people, the way we all came together it’s heartbreaking to know that it might never be the same again,” Lakshmipriya lamented.
She revealed that her passion for storytelling was ignited by her grandmother’s folk tales, which provided comfort during Manipur’s tumultuous times in the late 70s and the early 80s.
“The most comforting memory from my childhood is crawling into my grandmother’s bed at night listening to her stories under the mosquito net while gunshots echoed in the distance. This film is my interpretation of those tales, intertwined with the sights, sounds and smells I associate with Manipur,” she added.
Lakshmipriya’s commitment to capturing the spirit of Manipur is evident in her approach to filmmaking.
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Despite her established career in Bollywood, she chose to work with the local untrained crew members to bring authenticity to Boong.
“It was challenging to navigate an unpredictable terrain like Manipur with the local cast and crew who had barely any or no existing background in film production,” she said.
“The sheer enthusiasm, love and support of the people of different communities of Manipur made it possible to overcome these challenges and make the film,” she added.
Lakshmipriya thanked God for getting an opportunity to work with all the communities of Manipur, which she says is beyond grateful.
As the displaced residents of Moreh, now living in relief camps, reach out longing to see the film, Boong has become a time capsule of Manipur that feels distant.
The film’s narrative of a boy reuniting his family now mirrors the state’s search for healing.
In these trying times, Boong stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in division, the human spirit can find a way forward.
Its success at TIFF will not only throw a light on Manipur’s cultural richness but also elevate voices from the margins – voices that tell stories capable of resonating far beyond their borders.