Imran Perretta, the director of the debut feature Ish, found the boys who lead the film by carrying out an extensive casting search across Luton – visiting schools, sports clubs and youth centres over an eight‑month period. The result is a cast made up largely of local, first‑time actors whose lives and friendships provide the heart of a film that has earned strong reviews since festival screenings.
Local casting to capture an authentic portrait
The film follows two 12‑year‑old friends from Luton’s South Asian and Middle Eastern communities whose relationship is damaged after a police stop and search. Lead characters Ish and Maram are played by newcomers and childhood friends Farhan Hasnat and Yahya Kitana, both recruited during the director’s visits to community venues in Bedfordshire.
"I think that Ish is a film that is trying to be a bit of a portrait of Luton... if you're going to do a portrait of a place, the people have got to come from there as well."
Perretta, who also works as an artist and musician, drew on personal experiences of being stopped and searched in the aftermath of 9/11 when shaping the film. He has said the story is intended to show the "solidarity and care" young people display while growing up in what can feel like a hostile environment.
Filmed across the town
The production used a wide range of Luton locations to ground the story in the town’s landscape. Luton Borough Council confirmed the crew filmed in 26 locations, including Bury Park, the Busway, Wardown Park, The Vale Cemetery and Kidney Wood.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Casting period | Eight months |
| Main cast | Farhan Hasnat and Yahya Kitana (first‑time actors) |
| Number of Luton locations used | 26 |
Critical reception
Since its festival run the film has attracted praise from national critics. The Guardian described it as the "British debut movie of the year", and broadcaster Mark Kermode named it among his favourites on his podcast. Such attention has placed a spotlight on the local young performers and the community settings that shaped the film.
- Director carried out targeted casting across schools and clubs in Luton and Bedfordshire.
- Core cast are local, childhood friends discovered during the search.
- Film is black‑and‑white and rooted in experiences of stop and search.
For Luton, the production represents both a cultural moment and an opportunity to see familiar streets and parks portrayed on screen by residents rather than professional actors. The prominence of the film in national reviews may also encourage further creative work that seeks authentic local voices.
