by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
In her debut film, Lakshmipriya Devi crafts a vibrant and poignant portrayal of childhood resilience
following a schoolboy, Boong, as he defies borders and ethno-racial discord in Manipur to reunite his
family.
Schoolboy Boong (Gugun Kipgen) doesn’t see long distances and state borders as significant obstacles.
At least not when it comes to giving his mother, Mandakini (Bala Hijam), the best surprise gift ever:
bringing back his father, Joykumar. After leaving their home city of Manipur, India for the border city of
Moreh, near Myanmar, is searching for better job opportunities, and Joykumar has stopped communicating
with the family. With rumors spreading about his father’s death, Boong refuses to accept that grim
possibility and teams up with his best friend, Raju (Angom Sanamatum), an outsider from Rajasthan, to
search for the truth.
The two boys embark on a risky journey, armed only with a photo and a strong belief in the magical
power of music to bring Joykumar back. Although they encounter many challenges, their unwavering
friendship and determination shine through.
Boong is written and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi. This is Devi’s directorial debut after serving as an assistant director on several films. Also of note, this is Devi’s first screenplay.
For a first-time writer and director, Lakshmipriya Devi’s work is impressive. Devi creates a world of
child-like innocence for Boong and Raju even though they are surrounded by poverty, racism, and
governmental upheaval. The story is cohesive, comprehensive, and compassionate, taking into
consideration the male-dominated world of Manipur and the importance of fatherhood.
Boong has no magical or fantasy themes. It is simply a well-told and grounded story about children
growing up, the nature of love, the temerity of friendship, and the realities of life. (Those same realities
exploded only days after the completion of filming when war broke out in Manipur and decimated the
village where the movie was shot.) It’s a child’s tale that rejoices in the things that are great about
childhood, especially how the world protects them.
Grade: B-