India: Manipuri film “Ishanou” set to premier at Cannes Film Festival

Manipur, India: The restored version of the 1990 Manipuri film “Ishanou” is all set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was directed by renowned filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma. The festival will be held from May 16 to May 27, 2023.

The Anoubam Kiranmala and Kangjam Tomba starrer movie is based on the Maibi culture of Manipur which is also recognised as a World Classic. The movie will get screening in the Cannes Classic section, as per the information shared by Manipur State Film Development Society.

The 91-minute film which was produced in 1990 has received an official entry to the Un Central regard section of Cannes in 1991. The State Film Development Society stated that the ambitious restoration project of “Ishanou” has collaborated with the Film Heritage Foundation, Mumbai and director Aribam Syam Sharma.

“Ishanou” is known as the second celluloid Manipuri feature film. It has also collected in the SN Chand Cine Archive and the Museum of MSFDS which was digitised and become the first film to have been restored. The Chairman of Film Forum Manipur (FEM), Laimayum Surjakanta Sharmaa asserted that Syam Sharma has proved as the ground-breaking doyen of Manipuri cinema. He has worked tirelessly and portrayed the cultural and emotional nuances of the state and its people with a humanitarian vision. He also highlighted several cultural aspects with utmost simplicity and distinctive artistic signature.

Various film-related organisation in Manipur had also announced that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry last year to confer Dadasaheb Phalke Award upon Syam Sharma. The 53^rd edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which was held in Goa in November last year has also screened the Manipuri films. The film was premiered at the Festival under the special Manipuri cinema section which is titled as “Golden Jubliee of Manipuri Cinema.”

The premier of the film at the Cannes festival will be the perfect platform for Indian Cinema.