Tonight on August 18, 2025 at Crown Village Cinema in Melbourne, my family and I along with members of Melbourne Thadou community, were part of something beautiful. The award-winning film 'Boong' brought together Manipuris living in Melbourne, including members of the Meitei and Thadou communities, and others. We weren't just there to watch a movie; we were there to share a moment, to connect through a story that reached deep into our shared hopes and enduring spirit.
'Boong' means "little boy" in Meitei, and this beautiful film uses a child's eyes to show us that peace isn't just a big political idea—it's a choice we make every day. In a place as diverse as Manipur, with its mix of cultures and communities, the movie bravely tackles the pain of ethnic hatred while championing the idea that we are all one.
It's a reminder that unity is a path we must walk together. The film was shot in different parts of Imphal valley and the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh, and Tamu town in Myanmar side.
I had the chance to speak at the Q&A with the director Lakshmipriya Devi and lead actor Gugun, admiring the film's theme on peaceful coexistence. The director shared that the story started as thoughts in her personal journal, a truth that made the film feel even more genuine.
And the little star, Gugun Kipgen, only 10 years old at the time of the shooting in 2023, who played Boong, was incredible. His performance was so pure and powerful—he truly was the heart of the film.
This film is a message whispered to our souls, a reminder that we can always find our way back to each other. 'Boong' is for anyone who needs to be reminded that stories can heal and that hope can connect us all.
~Thadou Community Melbourne Australia
'Boong' means "little boy" in Meitei, and this beautiful film uses a child's eyes to show us that peace isn't just a big political idea—it's a choice we make every day. In a place as diverse as Manipur, with its mix of cultures and communities, the movie bravely tackles the pain of ethnic hatred while championing the idea that we are all one.
It's a reminder that unity is a path we must walk together. The film was shot in different parts of Imphal valley and the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh, and Tamu town in Myanmar side.
I had the chance to speak at the Q&A with the director Lakshmipriya Devi and lead actor Gugun, admiring the film's theme on peaceful coexistence. The director shared that the story started as thoughts in her personal journal, a truth that made the film feel even more genuine.
And the little star, Gugun Kipgen, only 10 years old at the time of the shooting in 2023, who played Boong, was incredible. His performance was so pure and powerful—he truly was the heart of the film.
This film is a message whispered to our souls, a reminder that we can always find our way back to each other. 'Boong' is for anyone who needs to be reminded that stories can heal and that hope can connect us all.
~Thadou Community Melbourne Australia
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