A navigation of a touching childhood friendship and figuring out what it is to be a man
Previewed at the BFI screening rooms, ISH follows two childhood friends as they navigate their friendship in this coming-of-age film.
The film is set and filmed in the South Asian and Middle Eastern community in Luton. A friendship built on touching and carefree moments is soon brought into question when Maram is ambushed in a police stop and search whilst Ish runs away. The aftereffects ripples through their friendship as the two try to navigate their friendship on the path to adulthood and the men they are becoming.
ISH looks at the importance of childhood friends, especially when both boys’ fathers are emotionally unavailable, and having that safe space to talk about issues, such as bereavement. Whilst Maram’s friends he introduces Ish to are caring, such as when Ish got caught in the rain and one of the boys gave him his jacket because he wasn’t going to see him cold, Maram’s friends are problematic and easily going down a life of crime. At a time when socially we are aware of what it means to be a man and the toxicity that follows, ISH is a very current social film.
The film also looks to the political tension that is rising, certainly across the UK and in some ways, whether certain demographics are being singled out. What is interesting about this film is that it highlights the importance of communities and how family names carry merit, something which is slowly fading away across the UK.
Cast through an open call, childhood friends and newcomer actors Farhan Hasnat and Yahya Kitana, brought to life their characters Ish and Maram and their touching friendship. Also making her acting debut as Ish’s sister is singer/songwriter Joy Crookes alongside Sudha Bhuchar known for After Love, Mogul Mowgli, We Are Lady Parts and Avin Shah known for Everest and Land Of The Blind. At the helm is writer director Imran Perretta with Enda Walsh, known for Hunger as co-writer.
ISH is a unique look into the South Asian and Middle Eastern communities, beautifully shot by cinematographer Jermaine Canute Edwards accompanied by an amazing film score. Having said that, the structure was a little off. The inciting incident is somewhat vague, and the mid-point felt a little unsure and it felt like not much was happening. The switch of Ish hanging out with Maram and his friends becomes more noticeable and makes you feel a little unsettled as we see someone being dragged into criminal behaviour. But, it is still a good film, and it comes together at the end with a poignant message.
Ish is released in cinemas in the UK & Ireland 31st July 2026.