TIFF’s Next Wave Selects Boong arrives with an earnest bang! Director Lakshmipriya Devi’s debut offers a heartfelt perspective on acceptance and transformation, presenting a 360-degree view of Manipur through the eyes of a curious child.
In a village in Manipur, a schoolkid named Boong (Gugun Kipgen) forms clusters of mischief through acts of vandalism, using his greatest talent: slingshots. When Mandakini (Bala Hijam), Boong’s mother, learns that her son’s actions stem from his desire to attend only English-medium schools to learn English, she decides to transfer him to a new school. There, Boong meets Raju (Angom Sanamatum), an outsider from Rajasthan, who is occasionally teased by the locals. They become close friends, sharing a common bond, but Boong’s deepest wish is for his father—believed to be working in Moreh, near the Myanmar border—to return home, a hope shared by both Boong and his mother. After hearing a bitter rumor spread by the villagers about his father’s fate, Boong and Raju decide to take the risk of embarking on a secret, long journey to Moreh to find him.
Aribam Syam Sharma’s Ishanou still lingers in my mind when thinking of films centered on Manipur, thanks to its outstanding portrayal of cultural interventions in the most iconic way. The world has yet to fully encounter Manipur’s ethos through cinema, much like the richness of Assamese culture, which is filled with novelty and capable of telling its own story with just a brief glance. Remarkably, TIFF has included Boong in its Discovery and Next Wave selections, a tale that promises to entangle us in a series of revelations.
Director Lakshmipriya Devi’s debut follows in the footsteps of Hirokazu Koreeda by using the innocence of children as a central theme, evoking a naïve perspective on matters beyond their comprehension. When we observe Boong, we witness an inquisitive nature that drives him to pursue impulsive wishes and goals, often without foreseeing the associated risks. Drawing parallels to Koreeda’s I Wish, Boong and Raju bear a striking resemblance to Kohichi Ohsako and Ryunosuke Kinami, sharing a deep affection for family bonds and possessing hearts of gold. Within the same context, the film touches on the social divide in the Manipuri community, where political interventions by separatist groups reinforce class hierarchies, archaic mindsets (such as cultural restrictions and the banning of Hindi films), and racism. Here, Devi contrasts and unites these two opposing themes, reframing them through the lens of a child to create a cohesive, inclusive analysis. It highlights the pure minds of children, untainted by racism and ignorance, and raises the question: What is the significance of maturing into adulthood, and how does it compare to the moral clarity that children, through their values, have contributed to humanity’s progress?
Bala Hijam’s exceptional performance as a broad-minded mother who thinks and acts independently brings a few cinematic rewards. As a single mom, her role as Boong’s primary caregiver is strong, direct, and empathetic, yet her genuine conversations with Boong, infused with subtle humor, soften the impact. Her actions breathe new life into their relationship, even channeling her anger into understanding, which in turn fosters harmony and optimism. The film also emphasizes the challenges of long-distance relationships and highlights the importance of parental responsibilities, particularly focusing on the struggles women face, their personal battles, and the betrayal of trust and hope within the labyrinth of relationships. On a brighter note, child actor Gugun Kipgen, as Boong, elevates the film with his authentic and heartfelt performance, leading us through his endearing little adventure.
Lakshmipriya Devi’s thoughtful Boong is a heartfelt, earnest narrative that follows a child’s sincere quest for his desires, filled with excitement and tempered by the realities of political and social divisions. Just as the beautiful landscape of Manipur reflects a sense of exuberance and personal attachment to cinema, the film offers an opportunity for contemplation, introspection, and appreciation of transformation—both beneficial and challenging. As Boong slingshots his way across the screen with eternal truths and a few eloquent moments, Lakshmipriya Devi gifts us with a deeper understanding of true, heartfelt cinema at its best—perhaps the greatest gift that lasts forever.
Explore our coverage of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival here.
