Boong (film)
| Boong | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Lakshmipriya Devi |
| Written by | Lakshmipriya Devi |
| Produced by | Farhan Akhtar Vikesh Bhutani Alan McAlex Ritesh Sidhwani Shujaat Saudagar |
| Starring | Gugun Kipgen Bala Hijam |
| Cinematography | Tanay Satam |
| Edited by | Shreyas Beltangdy |
| Music by | Zubin Balaporia (original score) Ronid Chingangbam (original score) |
Production companies | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Meiteilon (Manipuri) |
Boong is a 2024 Manipuri film directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Farhan Akhtar, Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, Ritesh Sidhwani and Shujaat Saudagar.[1][2][3] The movie stars Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam in the lead roles.[4][5] The production companies include Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures.[6][7] The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival under the Discovery section.[8][9][10]
Plot
[edit]In the valley of Manipur, Boong plans to surprise his mother with a gift. In his innocence, he believes that bringing his absentee father back home would be the most special gift. At the core, Boong's world is a triangle. At the base is Mandakini, his fiery, protective mother. The short perpendicular line is his Marwari best friend Raju Agarwal, who is considered an outsider. The hypotenuse is his father, Joykumar, who unwittingly shapes his son's world from faraway Moreh - a border town between India and Myanmar. Boong's search for his father disintegrates his world but culminates into an unexpected gift.[11]
Cast
[edit]- Gugun Kipgen as Boong
- Bala Hijam as Mandakini
- Angom Sanamatum as Raju Agarwal
- Vikram Kochhar as Sudhir Agarwal
- Modhubala Thoudam as Chaobi
- Jenny Khurai as Singer JJ
- Nemetia Ngangbam as Juliana
- Idhou as Uncle Ibobi
- Hamom Sadananda as Joykumar
Film Festivals
[edit]| Festival | Screening date(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Toronto International Film Festival | 5, 8, 9 & 13 September 2024 | [12] |
| International South Asian Film Festival 2024, Canada | 26 September 2024 | [13] |
| Warsaw International Film Festival 2024 | 11 October 2024 | |
| 48ª Mostra International De Cinema São Paolo Int'l Film Festival 2024 | 18 October 2024 | [14] |
| MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 | 23 & 24 October 2024 | [15] |
| Adelaide Film Festival 2024 | 27 October & 2 November 2024 | [16] |
| Tallinn Black Nights Festival 2024 | 8, 11 & 21 November 2024 | [17] |
| 25th San Diego Asian Film Festival 2024 | 13 November 2024 | [18] |
| 55th International Film Festival of India | November 2024 | [19] |
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Category | Winner's name | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International South Asian Film Festival 2024, Canada | Excellence in Feature Filmmaking | Lakshmipriya Devi | Won | [20] |
| 55th International Film Festival of India | Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film | Lakshmipriya Devi | Nominated | [21] |
Reception
[edit]Taylor Gates of Collider opined, "Boong is a rich coming-of-age tale that touches on important issues without ever losing its playful tone or big heart."[22] Siddhant Adlakha of Variety wrote, "Devi, through her gentle approach to Boong’s story, centers an innocence and naiveté under threat from steadily brewing forces. And though she doesn’t train her lens on this steadily evolving scenario, she makes it an ever-present part of her movie’s fabric, as ensuring that this political texture remains inseparable from her intimate personal tale."[23]
Nikhil Akhil of Film Fest Report reviewed, "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."[24] Sahar Junejo of Lyca Radio commented, "Ten minutes into Lakshmipriya Devi’s ‘Boong’, you immediately understand why Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani backed a film like this. It is such a funny, joyous snapshot of Manipur, you can’t help but smile."[25]
References
[edit]- ^ Anirudh Bhattacharyya. "Indian director Lakshmipriya Devi's 'Boong' premieres at TIFF". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Banner year for Indian women directors at Toronto film festival". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "'Boong' : A debut film by Manipuri filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi". e-pao.net. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Director Lakshmipriya Devi: 'Boong' is inspired by tales of my grandmother". daijiworld.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Cinematic triumph 'Boong' premiered at Toronto International Film Festival". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "'Boong' premiered at Toronto International Film Festival". Imphal Times. 8 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ ASEEM CHHABRA. "A Film From Manipur That You Must See". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "TIFF - Boong - Lakshmipriya Devi - WORLD PREMIERE". tiff.net. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Manipuri film Boong to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival 2024". northeastlivetv.com. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ SUNZU BACHASPATIMAYUM (14 September 2024). "Cinematic Triumph 'Boong' Premiered at Toronto International Film Festival". Imphal Review of Arts & Politics. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Film Boong". pro.festivalscope.com. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani-backed film Boong to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Boong – Opening Night Feature - ISAFF 2024". isaff.ca. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Boong - 48ª Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo". 48.mostra.org. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Boong - Focus South Asia - Jio MAMI Film Festival 2024". www.mumbaifilmfestival.com. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Boong - 2024: Adelaide Film Festival". www.adelaidefilmfestival.org. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "Boong - Estonian Premiere - Tallinn Black Nights Festival 2024". poff.ee. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Boong – 2024 San Diego Asian Film Festival". sdaff.org. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "55th International Film Festival of India: Cinema Without Borders". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "EXCELLENCE IN FEATURE FILMMAKING: The International South Asian Film Festival of Canada 2024 proudly announces two remarkable films..." www.instagram.com. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ "IFFI 2024 announces Official Selection for 'Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film' Category - 5 Debut Feature Films by Indian Directors to compete at 55th IFFI". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Taylor Gates (17 September 2024). "'Boong' Review: A Charming and Nuanced Coming-of-Age Adventure - TIFF2024". collider.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Siddhant Adlakha (16 September 2024). "'Boong' Review: A Small Coming-of-Age Tale on India's Eastern Border Disguises Larger Politics". variety.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Niikhiil Akhiil (10 September 2024). "TIFF 2024: Boong (by Lakshmipriya Devi) - Review". film-fest-report.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ SAHAR JUNEJO (11 September 2024). "TIFF 2024 Movie Review: 'Boong'". www.lycaradio.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.