Northeast Desk, 13th January: The Manipur State Film Development Society has garnered international acclaim for restoring Aribam Syam Sharma’s masterpiece, “Ishanou” (1990). Following its celebrated premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 2023, the film is set to grace the prestigious Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) ‘To Save and Project Festival’ in New York this month.
Scheduled for January 24 and 26, 2024, the screenings at MoMA promise to showcase Manipuri culture and cinematic excellence to a global audience. The restoration efforts were a collaborative endeavor involving the Manipur State Film Development Society, the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) from Mumbai, and the film’s Producer and Director, Aribam Syam Sharma. FHF played a crucial role by covering a significant portion of the digitization and restoration expenses.
Since its Cannes premiere, “Ishanou” has captivated audiences at various international festivals, including Il Cinema Ritrovato festival in Bologna, Film Restored festival in Berlin, Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, Singapore International Film Festival, and MAMI in Mumbai. This global recognition not only highlights Manipuri cinema’s cultural richness but also emphasizes the importance of restoring old celluloid Manipuri films.
“Ishanou” continues its international journey with upcoming screenings at the Cinema Reborn festival in Sydney and Melbourne in May 2024, affirming its enduring appeal and universal themes. Despite the challenges faced in Manipur, the film stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the indomitable spirit of its creators.
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