Ishanou : From Cannes to MoMA, Manipur's cinematic jewel takes center stage

IMPHAL, Jan 12 : After receiving widespread acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival 2023 with a red-carpet premiere, Aribam Syam Sharma's restored masterpiece, "Ishanou" (1990) is all set to be screened at the prestigious Museum of Modern Art's (MoMA) 'To Save and Project Festival' in New York this month.
The Ishanou screenings at MoMA are scheduled for January 24 and 26 promising to captivate audiences with Manipuri culture and cinematic excellence, said a statement issued by Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, secretary, Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS).
It may be noted that this cinematic triumph is a collaborative effort of MSFDS joining hands with the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) from Mumbai and the film's producer and director Aribam Syam Sharma.
FHF's contribution covered a substantial portion of the digitization and restoration expenses.
Since its Cannes screening, Ishanou has enchanted audiences at the Il Cinema Ritrovato festival in Bologna (Italy), the Film Restored festival in Berlin, the Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, the Singapore International Film Festival and MAMI in Mumbai.
 This global recognition not only reaffirms the cultural richness of Manipuri cinema but also sheds light on the resilience of the local film industry and the need for restoration of the old celluloid Manipuri films, asserted MSFDS.
Additionally, Ishanou is poised to continue its international journey, with screenings scheduled at the Cinema Reborn festival in Sydney and Melbourne in May 2024. This affirms the film's enduring appeal and the universal themes it explores. Despite the unrest in Manipur, Ishanou stands tall as a testament to the power of storytelling and the indomitable spirit of its creators, said MSFDS.