The epigraph that opens Lakshmipriya Devi’s Boong reads: “To love, friendship and peace in Manipur.” Amidst the ethno-racial discord and erupting violence in the region, it’s a fitting note for what is essentially a modern day Indian folk tale to begin on — one which cherishes, above all, the virtues of kindness, generosity, and love in all forms to see through adversities. This endearing upbeat energy pulses through Boong making it a vibrant, engaging film in its portrait of the titular schoolchild, played by Gugun Kipgen.
We’re first introduced to Boong getting in trouble at school (by way of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer”) with his best friend Raju (Angom Sanamatum) and getting told off by his mother Mandakini (Bala Hijam). The light touch tone of the film is set early doors, despite the fact that Boong and Mandakini aren’t going through the smoothest of patches, with Boong’s father, Joykumar, absent after leaving Manipur for job opportunities elsewhere. Their little conflicts are all handled with relative levity, as are Boong and Raju’s experiences in their new English language speaking school where they run into a few less than pleasant classmates and have to assimilate into a new environment. But for all the adversity, these issues are handled with a pleasant nature.
Boong works entirely within the framework of an inspirational narrative on the enduring nature of friendship. As things take on a darker tone as rumours of Boong’s father’s death spread around, we maintain our perspective within the upbeat and idealistic Boong who sees this as an opportunity to go on a journey, with Raju in tow, to find his father and bring him back to his mother as the greatest gift of all. The adventure of the two boys is rather endearing, filled with many charming and amusing moments carried by the assured screen presence of the young Kipgen and Sanamatum. Their youth and innocence are captured well by Tanay Satam’s cinematography with a fresh, spontaneous energy that befits the film’s narrative and tone perfectly.
The spirit of the film can sometimes verge on the saccharine, and may rob it of some of the potential complexity it could mine with a more sombre approach in reflecting on the divided nature of Manipur. But as it is, it’s a spirited and affecting little yarn, as well as a promising debut by Devi, that very much accomplishes what it sets out to do.
