Ishanou

Ishanou (The Chosen One)
Official poster
Directed byAribam Syam Sharma
Written byM. K. Binodini Devi
Produced byAribam Syam Sharma
StarringAnoubam Kiranmala
Kangabam Tomba
CinematographyGirish Padhiar
Edited byUjjal Nandy
Music byAribam Syam Sharma
Production
company
Aribam Syam Sharma Productions
Distributed byDoordarshan Kendra Guwahati
Release date
  • 6 July 1990 (1990-07-06)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMeiteilon (Manipuri)

Ishanou (English: The Chosen One) is a 1990 Indian Manipuri film written by M. K. Binodini Devi and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma.[1][2] The movie stars Anoubam Kiranmala and Kangabam Tomba in the lead roles.[3] It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.[4] In 2023, it was recognised as a "World Classic" by the Cannes Film Festival 2023 and it was the only film selected from India for the event for that year.[5][6][7] The movie was first aired in Doordarshan and later released in Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar on 6 July 1990.[8]

Ishanou was screened at many film festivals, including Singapore International Film Festival, London Film Festival, Des 3 Continents, Festival of Festivals Toronto, International Film Festival Rotterdam, Fribourg International Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival and International Film Festival of India.[9][10][11] Ishanou was restored by Film Heritage Foundation and the restored film was selected for a red-carpet world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 2023.[12][13]

  1. ^ "Seven Manipuri films you must watch". thenortheasttoday.com. 23 January 2016. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  2. ^ Baruah, Parthajith (23 February 2018). "Rising against all odds" – via www.thehindu.com.
  3. ^ "Evolving digital film culture in Manipur A misnomer By Meghachandra Kongbam". e-pao.net.
  4. ^ "Festival de Cannes: The Chosen One". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Manipuri feature film 'ISHANOU' recognised as World Classic". The Economic Times. 6 May 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Aribam Syam Sharma's ISHANOU recognised as World Classic". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Manipuri Film 'Ishanou' Becomes India's Only Restored Film To Be Screened At Cannes 2023". Outlook India.
  8. ^ "ISHANOU (1991)". BFI. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Profile of Aribam Syam Sharma ~ Pictures from Manipur - E-pao". e-pao.net.
  10. ^ "Syam Sharma`s Ishanou among 27 feature films centenary India Cinema package". kanglaonline.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  11. ^ Oinam Sunil. "Manipuri film to be screened at Goa festival". The Times of India.
  12. ^ "ISHANOU". Festival de Cannes.
  13. ^ "Manipuri film Ishanou's big splash at the red carpet of Cannes Film Festival 2023". India Today NE. 21 May 2023.