Northeast Desk, 17th October: Dr. Meena Longjam, a highly acclaimed filmmaker hailing from Manipur, has achieved a remarkable feat with her documentary titled “Andro Dreams.” This documentary chronicles the inspiring journey of an all-girls football club from the remote region of Andro, situated in the Imphal East district. At the 8th edition of the Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai, “Andro Dreams” clinched the prestigious “Best Documentary” award.
Dr. Meena, a distinguished PhD holder in mass communication, was honored with this award during a ceremony held in Mumbai on a Sunday. The Secretary of the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, extended heartfelt congratulations to Meena Longjam and her dedicated crew for their remarkable achievement.
“Andro Dreams” delves into the heartfelt story of Laibi, an elderly woman with unwavering determination, and her three-decade-old all-girls’ football club, who confront economic hardships, a patriarchal system, and entrenched orthodoxy in Andro, an ancient village in northeast India. Additionally, two other accomplished Manipuri filmmakers, Mayanglambam Romi Meitei and Saikhom Ratan, are set to receive awards at the 69th National Film Awards ceremony.
Dr. Meena Longjam has a track record of receiving numerous awards, including a notable win in 2015 for her documentary “Auto Driver,” which shed light on the challenges faced by Imphal’s pioneering female auto rickshaw driver. Her body of work predominantly revolves around the theme of women’s empowerment.
“Andro Dreams” portrays the resilience of Laibi, who oversees the operations of the Andro Mahila Mandal Association Football Club (AMMA-FC). Despite grappling with financial constraints and a lack of proper equipment, this football club has groomed numerous national and international football champions. The documentary is currently being showcased at both domestic and international film festivals.
In her current professional role, Meena Longjam serves as an Assistant Professor at the Manipur University of Culture, where she leads the Department of Culture Studies. She is an accomplished writer, with her work spanning various topics, including women’s issues, the influence of social media, folktales, and proverbs from the Meitei people of the plains. Her contributions have been published in international academic journals, newspapers, comics, and books.