AFSPA, 1958 is a 2006 Manipuri documentary film directed by Haobam Paban Kumar in his directorial debut[1][2] and produced by Bachaspa Timayun Sunzu and Haobam himself.[3] The film won the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film at the 56th National Film Awards.[4]

AFSPA, 1958
DVD cover
Directed byHaobam Paban Kumar
Produced byBachaspa Timayun Sunzu, Haobam Paban Kumar
Release date
  • 2006 (2006)
Running time
77 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageManipuri

Synopsis

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This documentary covers civil disobedience in Manipur against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. It highlights the protests that followed the 2004 murder of Thangjam Manorama,[5] where residents protested the broad powers given to security forces under AFSPA. One famous photograph from this time shows 30 middle-aged women marching naked through Imphal, the state capital, to the Assam Rifles headquarters[6][7]

Awards

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At the 10th Ismailia International Film Festival in Egypt, the film won three awards.[8] It also received both the International Jury Prize and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Mumbai International Film Festival.[9] Additionally, it was honored with the Swarna Kamal at the National Film Awards and was selected for screening at MoMA in New York.[10][8]

Reception

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Richard Kupers of Variety (magazine) noted "Though flawed by conventional documentary standards, AFSPA, 1958 has an undeniable fury. Comprised mostly of incendiary footage, Haobam Paban Kumar’s 77-minute documentary could be trimmed to an hour for broadcasters."[11]

References

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  1. ^ "The Man from Manipur". www.deccanchronicle.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  2. ^ Shackleton, Liz. "Busan: Haobam Paban Kumar talks 'Lady Of The Lake'". Screen. Archived from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  3. ^ Kuipers, Richard (2006-08-01). "Afspa, 1958". Variety. Archived from the original on 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  4. ^ "President confers 56th National Film Awards". The Hindu. 2010-03-19. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  5. ^ "Manorama rape and murder: 10 years on, family's hope for justice fades". The Indian Express. 2014-07-12. Archived from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  6. ^ Sirur, Simrin (2021-07-22). "17 years since their naked protest against Army, 'Mothers of Manipur' say fight not over yet". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  7. ^ "The film stars". www.livemint.com. Archived from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  8. ^ a b "'AFSPA 1958' continues bagging international awards". One India. Archived from the original on 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  9. ^ "A violent history of withered hopes - Ruptured Spring, documentary by Haobam Paban Kumar, portrays lives affected by strife". Telegraph India.
  10. ^ "TMC students' wing gheraos Calcutta University's vice-chancellor for over nine hours". www.millenniumpost.in. 2024-08-03. Archived from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  11. ^ Kuipers, Richard (2006-08-01). "Afspa, 1958". Variety. Archived from the original on 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
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