Jianreiliu Gonmei

Imphal | There is a need to reflect on the importance of getting closer to the subjects of a story, developing empathy and bringing their perspectives to audiences who may otherwise never get to understand their realities. This was stated by Mattias Löw who is a Swedish filmmaker and photographer, who is here in Imphal in connection with Tribal Frames Manipur 2026, a national-level film festival.

Speaking during an interaction, Löw reflected on the importance of films and said, “I am not an indigenous person myself. But when I get close to my subjects, I really begin to understand. I start to develop compassion and empathy for the struggles they have.” On the emotional side of indigenous filmmaking, he observed that people often find ways to express their sadness and difficult experiences through creative work. “Instead of crying, they make films.

They channel their sadness into a creative profession,” he said. According to him, Tribal Frames Manipur has the potential to become a recurring platform that not only showcases films but also creates awareness and helps people understand perspectives they may never have encountered before. “People should be able to see a different perspective and say, ‘I didn’t know that. I had no idea this was happening,’” he suggested.

“Filming is easy, writing is easy, but getting under the skin of your subjects becomes a bit more difficult. That’s always the most difficult thing. But that takes time,” he said. Emphasising the importance of awareness, Löw said that indigenous films have the potential to open people’s eyes, create understanding and gradually bring stories from marginalised communities into mainstream conversations.

Mattias Löw has been making films for over three decades and is one of the most respected storytellers in Scandinavia. He has directed socially aware documentaries for SVT (Sweden’s public broadcaster) and CBC (Canada). Mattias has also gained worldwide recognition as a documentary photographer, with photographs from Burning Man to Kumbh Mela being showcased in galleries and museums around the world.

He was born Tomas on the 17th September 1970 in Västerhaninge, Haninge Municipality, Sweden. Mattias grew up with a passion for cinema and storytelling. After completing his secondary education, Mattias attended Stockholm University to study Cinema Arts and History.

He later went to UCLA – University of California Los Angeles to study Screenwriting for film and TV. Whilst studying at UCLA Mattias was nominated and received an honourable mention in the prestigious Diane Thomas Screenwriting Awards in 1997. The awards were given out by industry leaders such as Steven Spielberg, Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Mattias began his career as a short film and music video director in the 1990s.

In the late 1990s Mattias moved back to Sweden after living in Los Angeles. Mattias’ work has gained critical and audience success and has gained many awards and accolades in the television, film and journalism industries. Mattias has won many awards in the arts industry and received grants and stipends. Mattias mainly creates his documentaries for Sveriges Television (SVT) and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). His films focus on social issues, education and sports.

Filmography Referee (2010)

A critically acclaimed documentary focusing on Swedish top referee Martin Hansson and his most dramatic year in his career leading up to the controversial 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This has earned Mattias as a filmmaker with the ability to capture the suspense and drama of the human condition.

The Other Sport (2013)

A three-part documentary series written, produced and directed by Mattias Löw. A documentary focusing on the history and current state of female football in Sweden from the mid 1960s. The documentary was released in time for UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 and includes interviews with some of the most well-known players, such as Pia Sundhage, Marta Vieira da Silva and Hope Solo. The documentary was praised for providing a detailed insight into the history of female football.

All The World In A Design School (2015)

A documentary made for SVT. Made by Freedom From Choice, Filmpool Nord and Sveriges Television.

The Indian Priest (2016)

A Swedish-Indian collaboration. A documentary following the journey of Father Raphael Kurian, a Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (C.M.I.) Catholic Priest from South India. The documentary follows his journey as he travels to modern day Sweden as a missionary.

The documentary shows his daily life and work as a Priest in celibacy in Falun and Olofström and his home Monastery in Kerala, India. The Indian Priest was a massive hit with critics, winning 13 awards and receiving 12 nominations in various international film festivals. Including WorldFest Houston, Accolade Competition and Impact Docs Awards.

The Wilderness Diva (2023)

A 90 minute documentary following Opera singer Carina Henriksson and her bringing the fine arts and Opera to one of the most sparsely populated places in Sweden.

Guldvaskaren Från Lannavaara (2025)

Mattias’ latest feature length documentary follows incredible story of Hasse Söderström, a dreamer from the north of Sweden above the Arctic Circle. Hasse spends 25 years on a $10 million quest to find gold in Africa, facing criminals and impossible odds. The film premiered in Swedish cinemas in the winter of 2026. This film has received praise for its detailed portrayal of the complicated and conflicted character. A “good, almost priest-like figure” but also a “fixer and schemer”. Other notable films include Ice Carosello (2010) – Nominated for the European Short Film Award. And Wounderland (2001).

Photography

Mattias has created an extensive collection of photography. Many of his photographs relate to his documentary, however Mattias has also created his own work. His images from Burning Man have been published and showcased in galleries and museums worldwide.

His photo poetry exhibition “Aatman – The Universal Spirit” included photos from the annual Counter Culture event in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. In 2020 Mattias and his wife Reshma Mansuri Löw were stuck in India during the strictest lockdown in the world due to the global pandemic.

This led to the creation of a photo essay “98 Days: Frozen In Fear” showing the fear and paranoia of the country. The photographs and writings were showcased digitally at the Fotografisk Center in Copenhagen. And were covered by The Hindu and Mumbai Mirror. Recently Mattias travelled to India to photograph the Maha Kumbh Mela, a hindu pilgrimage festival.

His exhibition “Det eviga sökandet” (The Eternal Search) with 30 photographs was showcased in Medieval Churches across Östergötland, Sweden. During the summer of 2026. Sparking conversations across the public.

Awards

In 2026 Mattias was awarded the Motala Municipality Cultural Scholarship (Motala kommuns stora kulturstipendium). With a grant of 43,131 SEK, symbolically the same amount of inhabitants in the municipality. Mattias was described by the judges as “one of Scandinavia’s most respected narrators of the human condition” Mattias has won over a dozen awards internationally for The Indian Priest. Mattias has also been nominated for the European Short Film Award for Ice Carosello. Mattias has also won grants and stipends for his work in the arts

Jianreiliu Gonmei, TFM Desk