Film: Ish

Ish, directed by Imran Perretta and co-written with Enda Walsh, tells the story of two friends Ish (Farhan Hasnat) and Maram (Yahya Kitana). At the beginning of their teenage years, their friendship is changed forever when Maram is traumatically snatched from the street in a stop and search.

Set in Luton, the film is primarily about friendship, family, and coming of age. Juxtaposing the fathers of Ish and Maram, the film shows the saving power of Ish's patient, compassionate and loving family as they grieve Ish's mother.

The orchestral music and the sounds of old Bengali films playing in the living room, create a warm nostalgic feel, juxtaposed with an unnerving soundtrack as the film progresses - all add to the sense of a hot summer at boiling point. The surveillance vans and the people they contain mostly remain anonymous figures, adding to the sense of unease.

Interspersed throughout is the presence of faith and the sounds of prayer at home from the grandmother (Sudha Bhuchar) and the family's prayers over the resting place of the mother. The internal and external world reflect the contrasting perceptions of the boys, from the trusting and fatherly shopkeeper, a member of the community, to the harsh, clinical, eye of the surveillance van.
In their acting debuts, Hasnat and Kitana, brilliantly portray two best friends, perhaps aided by their real-life friendship (unbeknownst to Perretta when selecting the cast). Joy Crookes, in another powerful acting debut, plays the older sister, Samira, with a relatable portrayal of siblinghood, teasing Ish and simultaneously supporting him, at times playing a motherly role while the father (Avin Shah) works long hours.

Shot beautifully in black and white, the film is an ode to teenagehood and a social critique.

Ish is out now in cinemas in the UK and Ireland.

Watch the official trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWvNcjOGTtM