Ish might, to a degree, be categorised as British realism in the classic Loachian tradition – not least in its casting of young nonprofessionals. Maram wants to be a peer of the older boys in the neighbourhood, who for Ish are just that – older, a different species. Early on, Maram tells Ish, “This war is coming… Y’hear that? In contrast to the mood of conflict, Ish offers a tender portrait of the Muslim family as refuge. You can’t help wanting to follow Ish – like the young protagonists of The 400 Blows (1959) or Pather Panchali (1955) – further through life.