Boong

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, in search of better job opportunities, Joykumar has stopped communications with the family. With rumours 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.

First-time director Lakshmipriya Devi expertly centres themes of enduring friendship within a narrative in which ethno-racial discord is ever-present. Gugun Kipgen and Angom Sanamatum give endearing and memorable performances, and the film is filled with laugh-out-loud moments. Since Boong’s production, the ethnic tensions referenced have erupted into violence, making Devi’s vibrant portrayal of childhood resilience a poignant and necessary reminder of our taken-for-granted ability to find hope even in the darkest times.

ROBYN CITIZEN

Content advisory: bullying, homophobic/racist/transphobic language