reel
floating kite

Restored Classics

The Chosen One

Ishanou

India

Manipuri

1990

90 mins

Asia Premiere

Festival History

Cannes Film Festival 2023
Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival 2023
Film Restored 2023
34th Singapore International Film Festival 2023

Restored Classics

The Chosen One

Ishanou

India

Manipuri

1990

90 mins

Asia Premiere

Festival History

Cannes Film Festival 2023
Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival 2023
Film Restored 2023
34th Singapore International Film Festival 2023

A poignant tale of love and loss steeped in Manipuri culture, it follows Tampha, who abandons her husband and daughter to join the Maibi sect of priestesses, responding to the inexorable call of the deity. But behind her absorption in the mystical world of the Maibis lurks the anguish of a mother alienated from her child. The film beautifully juxtaposes the spiritual world of the Maibis with the rhythm of ordinary life. The director’s approach, delicate camerawork, understated acting, coupled with the depiction of the Maibi culture and the use of traditional Manipuri music, give the film an authenticity that blends storytelling, documentary, and ethnography.

Credits

Lead Cast

Anoubam Kiranmala

Kangabam Tomba

Baby Molly

Manbi

Soraisam Dhiren

Baby Premita

Writer

M. K. Binodini Devi

Director of Photography

Girish Padhiar

Editor

Ujjal Nandy

Sound Designer

Durgadas Mitra

Music Director

Aribam Syam Sharma

Production Designer

Aribam Syam Sharma

Costume Designer

M. K. Binodini Devi

Screenwriter

M. K. Binodini Devi

Directed by

Aribam Syam Sharma

Producer/s

Aribam Syam Sharma

Production Company/ies

Aribam Syam Sharma Productions

Contact


World Sales Agent

Shivendra Singh Dungarpur

shivendra@filmheritagefoundation.co.in


Rights Holder

Jayant Patel

contact@filmheritagefoundation.co.in


Rights Holder

Aribam Syam Sharma

aribasyam19@gmail.com


Director

Aribam Syam Sharma

Aribam Syam Sharma, the acclaimed filmmaker from Manipur, has done it all. Actor, singer, composer, theatre director, filmmaker and champion of Manipuri cinema – he is a true Renaissance man who displayed a mastery over every genre of filmmaking from blockbusters to arthouse cinema to documentaries. In a career spanning close to fifty years, Syam Sharma has directed 15 feature films, over 40 documentaries and scored the music for 25 films. He also played a key role during his three-year stint at the Manipur Film Development Council and as the first Managing Director of the Manipur Film Development Corporation towards improving the infrastructure for film production and the creation of avenues for the appreciation of cinema in Manipur.