‘Manipuri film Ishanou’s screening at Cannes Classics left attendees in tears’

The restored version of the Manipuri film Ishanou, which was chosen from among 150 entries for Cannes Classics section, was screened at the festival. The Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), in association with the Manipur State Film Development Society, has restored the award-wining film by Aribam Syam Sharma. Last year, FHF’s restored work of Aravindan Govindan’s film Thamp was screened at Cannes.

Ishanou’s actor Kangabam Tomba and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur at the world premiere of the restored version of the movie at Cannes

‘Brought me to tears’
Talking about watching the restored version, Kangabam Tomba, the film’s actor who attended the screening, told us, “I would like to thank FHF for restoring Ishanou. Watching the beautiful restoration, I felt like it was made yesterday, and it brought tears to my eyes.” FHF Director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur added, “It was a proud moment for us to see the reaction of the audience. Many said the film is a discovery and brought tears to their eyes. Our endeavour to find hidden gems from Indian cinema and showcase them to the world continues.”