Andro Dreams Come True!

The third Manipuri film to open IFFI’s flagship non-feature category, offers a peek into the extraordinary feat of an ordinary Manipuri woman. Manu Shrivastava traces its journey

At the recently-concluded International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panjim, Goa, a few films stood out for the sheer power of storytelling, strong protagonists and their awe-inspiring journeys.

Behind the scenes of Andro Dreams

One such film was Meena Longjam’s Andro Dreams that offers a peek into the extraordinary feat of an ordinary Manipuri woman – Laibi Phanjoubam, who founded an all-girls football club and runs it in the face of unsurmountable obstacles and challenges now for more than three decades, in her effort to shape the lives of young girls of Andro. 

The 63-minute film was the opening non-feature film of the Indian Panorama section and is the third Manipuri non-feature film to open IFFI’s flagship category, the other being Aribam Syam’s Yelhou Jagoi (1995) and Bobo Khuraijam’s Ima Sabitri (2016). 

A still from Andro Dreams

“I chanced upon Laibi’s story in a newspaper article and immediately knew I had to meet her,” quips Meena who lives in Imphal and heads Manipur University of Culture’s Department of Culture Studies. Andro Dreams was conceived and created following Meena and her team’s multiple visits to the remote village of Andro, located at a distance of 30 km from Imphal, “over a period of five years.” 

The All-Girl Andro Mahila Mandal Association Football Club (AMMA-FC) was founded in 1999.  The film chronicles the life of Laibi, a fiery woman with a spirited soul and dogged determination and her struggles with one of her club’s brightest stars, Nirmala.

Laibi Phanjoubam

Born in 1959, as the fourth girl child, Laibi’s birth was not a happy occasion in the family. The dejection, however, never came in her way and with sheer grit and perseverance she became “the first woman from Andro village to complete a graduate’s degree and become a school teacher,” says Meena.

“I’m really honoured to be a part of this process and to be able to present this story of struggles and celebration to the world,” expresses Laibi who supported the club by undertaking weaving and handloom work in the absence of any sponsor.

Interestingly, the project was a culmination of the vision and hard work of three determined women that helped materialise Andro Dreams for the world to witness.

Apart from Meena and Laibi, it was the film’s executive producer Jani Viswanath who saw immense potential in the story and decided to support it.

“I am very proud that Andro Dreams is being received with so much warmth and love all over.

“It takes a lot of courage to run a club like AMMA FC against all odds and am very happy to be a part of this delightful journey,” feels Jani.

Andro Dreams has been making waves in film festivals across India and beyond. 

The girls of AMMA FC have made Laibi proud

Laibi’s story of battling poverty and patriarchy and amidst the challenges to create and run a successful all-girls football club is not an ordinary achievement.

AMMA FC’s girls, most of who come from poor families, have imbibed the fighting spirit of Laibi. Despite all the hardships that include lack of proper equipment, AMMA FC has produced many players who have gone on to play for bigger clubs and prestigious championships.

‘It’s a wonderful story that just needed to be told’

Meena Longjam

Award-winning independent filmmaker Dr. Meena Longjam is a single mother of two children.

She received the National Award for Best Documentary for her 2015 film Auto Driver that narrates the life of Imphal’s first woman autorickshaw driver, her grit and resilience in the conflict-ridden zone.

She was the first Manipuri filmmaker to win the prestigious award.

Meena says, “Making a documentary requires building a relationship with the subject over a long period of time and it cannot be a one-off project.”

Talking about Andro Dreams, Meena says, “It is a story of the people of Manipur, who are unheard and not represented in other media.  The film showcases how girls from a small village in Manipur can dream big and achieve their dreams with resilience in the wake of adversity and conflict.”

Achoubi in Love is another documentary where Meena documents the fight of a Manipuri woman, a horse-whisperer and her endeavours to save the indigenous Meitei Saigol ponies.

‘It takes lots of courage for a woman to fight social mindsets’

Jani Viswanath

Born into a South Indian family, Dubai-based film producer Jani Viswanath is truly, what she calls herself, a global gypsy.

It has been her constant endeavour to support projects and films that portray strong narratives and inspiring protagonists.

“I support and encourage independent films to motivate real artists and given them an opportunity to showcase issues prevalent in the society,” she maintains.

Her other projects include Assamese Film Rainbow Fields (Xoixobote Dhemalite) that depicts the lives of children growing up in conflict zones and how they are affected.

She has also co-produced Wild Swans and Jwlwi - The Seed. 

Talking about Andro Dreams, her latest venture, Jani says, “Women are the ‘silent pillars’ of society and I want to bring as many to the forefront as possible and provide them the required opportunities. I want to encourage, motivate and support the incredible talent that has skills but lack the funding.”

To receive regular updates and notifications, follow The Draft News:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube