AFSPA, 1958
Indian documentary film
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AFSPA, 1958 is a 2006 Manipuri documentary film directed by Haobam Paban Kumar in his directorial debut[1][2] and produced by Bachaspatimayum Sunzu and Haobam.[3] The film won the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film at the 56th National Film Awards.[4]
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Haobam Paban Kumar
- 2006
| AFSPA, 1958 | |
|---|---|
DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Haobam Paban Kumar |
| Produced by | Bachaspatimayum Sunzu Haobam Paban Kumar |
Release date |
|
Running time | 77 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Manipuri |
Synopsis
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]
Accolades
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
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] In 2026, the film appeared in Firstpost’s list of five Manipuri films to watch.[12]