Ishanou
Southeast Asian Premiere
Aribam SYAM SHARMA India 1990 91 min PG
Departing the life she once knew, a woman journeys into priesthood in this classic work of Manipuri cinema.
In the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, Tampha lives a peaceful existence in the countryside with her family. But after experiencing transcendental interventions, Tampha inexorably takes the path of divinity—becoming a Maibi, a female priestess of the Sanamahi faith—from which she cannot return.
The first Manipuri film to be restored, Ishanou is but one example from a region whose cinema remains largely unknown both domestically and internationally. Featuring traditional rituals, dance and music, Ishanou is a cultural document of the unique specificities of a place and its peoples—defying the unified nation-state narrative of the richly plural Indian subcontinent.
5 Dec, Tue 6:30PM / 91 min
Oldham Theatre
AT THE FEST!
Screening are free seating & first-come, first-serve basis.
All ticket purchasers are kindly asked to be on time and note the 10-min grace period.
Plus, a new Rush Queue for last-min folks!
Ishanou
Aribam SYAM SHARMA
India
1990
Manipuri
English
91 min
PG
Southeast Asian Premiere
Aribam SYAM SHARMA
Director and composer Aribam SYAM SHARMA is among the most prolific and acclaimed filmmakers of Northeast India. His sixth directorial work, Ishanou screened in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section in 1991.
Anoubam KIRANMALA
Kangabam TOMBA
Baby MOLLY
Manbi
Soraisam DHIREN
Baby PREMITA
Aribam SYAM SHARMA
M. K. BINODINI DEVI
CONTACT
Film Heritage Foundation
