Artist Imran Perretta has released his debut feature film, 'Ish,' a coming-of-age story set in Luton that draws on his own experiences with police stop-and-search encounters.

Artist Imran Perretta has transitioned into filmmaking with his debut feature, 'Ish,' which follows two 12-year-old boys in Luton during their final summer of childhood. The film, co-written with playwright Enda Walsh, is partially autobiographical, reflecting Perretta's own experience of being stopped and searched by police at age 13. The project has garnered critical comparisons to classic coming-of-age works like Ken Loach’s 'Kes' and Satyajit Ray’s Apu trilogy.

Autobiographical Roots and Production

Perretta’s film was inspired by his childhood in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, a period he describes as the moment he lost his innocence after being pulled into a police van. He aimed to explore the impact of being perceived as a threat or a deviant at a young age. The film was shot in Luton over five weeks in the summer of 2024 using luminous monochrome, which Perretta chose to give the town a sense of grandeur rather than focusing on the aesthetic of austerity. The casting process involved auditioning approximately 900 local boys over six months. The lead roles were filled by first-time actors Farhan Hasnat and Yahya Kitana, who were friends in real life. Due to regulations protecting child actors, filming days were limited to six hours on set, requiring the production to remain flexible and efficient.

Career Path and Influences

Before directing, Perretta was known for his video installations, including the 2019 work 'The Destructors,' which is currently on display at Tate Britain. His transition to film was prompted by an invitation from Rose Garnett, then head of BBC Film, who saw his work in a London gallery. Perretta, who originally studied architecture, shifted his focus to art after caring for his mother, who passed away from cancer when he was 21. Perretta credits his artistic direction to his experiences as a carer and his exposure to Derek Jarman’s film 'Blue' at the Serpentine gallery. He describes his creative process as a way to engage with subjects that make him feel angry or scared, noting that his work consistently stems from his early realization of how he was viewed by society outside of his home and community.