Ish: Imran Perretta's Debut Film Captures Innocence Lost 2026

The Ish film, directed by Imran Perretta, is already being hailed as the British debut movie of the year. It follows 12-year-old Ishmail from Luton, whose life is forever changed by a childhood stop-and-search experience. The film's poetic, intimate storytelling has drawn comparisons to classics like Ken Loach's Kes and Satyajit Ray's Apu trilogy.

Why Critics Are Comparing Ish to Kes and Apu

Perretta admits he worried the film might be lumped with gritty urban dramas like Kidulthood, but instead reviewers see a gentler, more universal coming-of-age story. “It’s nice that people have compared Ish to those films rather than Kidulthood,” he says. The film uses a child’s perspective to explore themes of innocence, identity, and systemic injustice.

The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Ish

Perretta drew on his own experiences growing up in south London as the son of a British Italian father and a Bangladeshi mother. His mother, a child protection social worker and “super political firebrand,” died of cancer when he was 21. The title Ish is short for Ishmail, but also echoes the three-letter titles of those influential films.

Key Takeaways from the Ish Film

• Debut feature from artist and filmmaker Imran Perretta
• Centers on a 12-year-old's stop-and-search experience in Luton
• Praised for its poetic realism and child's-eye view
• Comparisons to Kes and Apu highlight its universal appeal
• Perretta previously created The Destructors video installation at Tate Britain

Behind the Scenes: From Art to Film

Perretta originally studied architecture before switching to art. During the pandemic, he received a £10,000 bursary when the Turner Prize was cancelled. Ish marks his first foray into feature-length cinema, blending his visual art background with narrative storytelling. He is currently buying his first home and raising two small children—balancing fatherhood with a busy exhibition schedule.

FAQ

The film has been described as a “poetic film that grabs you by the heart,” and early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. For many, Ish is the must-see British debut of the year.