Battlefield
Director: Borun Thokchom
Country: India Language: Manipuri
Duration: 80 minutes
Year: 2025
Battlefield is a documentary from Manipur that excavates one of the most overlooked episodes of the Second World War in Asia: the Battle of Imphal. Shot over nearly a decade, director Borun Thokchom’s work revisits the landscapes, memories, and personal histories tied to a conflict that shaped the region but rarely finds space in mainstream historical narratives. Rather than relying on dramatic re-enactments or large archival spectacles, Battlefield foregrounds the voices of local witnesses and communities. The land itself, including the hills and villages scattered across the terrain, becomes a living archive of collective memory. By grounding the narrative in lived experience and intergenerational memory, Battlefield becomes both a tribute and a quiet act of recovery and restoration of forgotten histories. Rooted in a regional context, it nevertheless questions the way global history is written, asking why certain battles are commemorated, while others fade into obscurity. The film premiered at the 56th International Film Festival of India, 2025 and was selected for the Indian Panorama (Non-Feature) section.
About the Director
Borun Thokchom
Borun Thokchom is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and television journalist with over a decade of experience. His debut film, The Silent Poet, received the National Award in 2011 and garnered numerous accolades at international film festivals. His documentary, I Rise, produced by Films Division, has won awards at both national and international festivals. He has also served as a jury member at prestigious film festivals, notably the 69th National Film Awards in 2023 and the 55th International Film Festival of India, 2024. With skills in cinematography and production, he has worked on diverse projects, including NHK World’s Battle of Imphal and musical documentaries featuring AR Rahman for Amazon Prime Video. Thokchom excels in bringing complex subjects to life and engaging global audiences. His latest documentary film, Battlefield, had its world premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India, 2025.
Meet the Director!
Borun Thokchom is visiting the festival on 21 March 2026!