"Ish," a new coming-of-age film set in Luton, explores the lives of two young Muslim boys navigating friendship and identity against a backdrop of personal loss and geopolitical tension. The story centers on Ish, portrayed by Farhan Hasnat, a British-Asian boy grappling with the death of his mother a year earlier, and his best friend Maram, played by Yahya Kitana, a Palestinian boy whose experiences are shaped by the war in Gaza.

The film follows the boys as they engage in typical childhood activities such as playing chase in the woods, building dens, and disputing over video games. Yet, beneath these seemingly ordinary moments, the narrative conveys the growing challenges of adolescence. Maram, in particular, is depicted as more mature than his age suggests, already confronting pressures associated with his cultural and political environment.

Director Imran Perretta employs a striking visual style, shooting the film in black and white, accompanied by a carefully crafted musical score that enhances the film’s evocative atmosphere. The aesthetic contrasts with the story's grim realities, including the strain on the boys' friendship caused by external factors like peer pressure and police surveillance.

Critics have noted the film’s naturalistic performances and its sensitive portrayal of the complexities of boyhood friendship. While some aspects of the storytelling have been seen as uneven, "Ish" succeeds in presenting a nuanced portrayal of young lives caught between innocence and the demands of their social and political contexts.