Adapted from Fawzia’s own stage 2012 play of the same title, the film stars Amrit Kaur as Azra queer Pakistani-Canadian woman whose disconnect from the traditional Muslim beliefs, and aspirations of being a filmmaker creates a rift between her and her mother Miriam played by Nimra Bucha.
With the expert editing of Simone Smither, The Queen of My Dreams seamlessly transitions between 1999 Toronto, 1969 Kirachi, Pakistan, and 1989 Sydney, Nova Scotia to show how time, circumstance, and misunderstandings changed Miriam from a young woman full of confidence and charisma dreaming of travelling the world and meeting new people as an Air Hostess, to a woman who seem lost her spark in a life dedicated to religion and fear, then grief from the sudden loss of her husband Hassan (Hamza Haq).
In her youth, Miriam – played by Amrit – is all smiles and open to whatever life has in store for her. Her personality matches the bright bustling city streets of Karachi, a city going through its own metamorphosis due to political and religious unrest that would last into the 80s.
As young Miriam and Azra, Amrit does a brilliant job of playing two young women whose confidence away from their mothers, turns to frustration when her mother’s constant mentions of being prayer and religious dedication for Azra, and being a proper young lady worthy of a husband for Miriam comes of as condemnation of who they are as people.
With a script carefully balanced to give the audience time to fully understand these women and the circumstances that shaped who they are and could be, Fawzia displays a skill that writers can struggle with when it comes to stories with different timelines and complicated histories.
In my KCrush interview with Fawzia, we speak about The Queen of My Dream’s Bollywood inspiration in screen legend Sharmila Tagore, why mothers and daughters struggle to understand each other despite their similarities, and how women and girls are the most impacted during significant cultural changes.
The Queen of My Dreams, screened at Cannes Film Market before its official world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) where it was named in Canada’s Top Ten List, and had its theatrical release March 22nd.
It has been nominated in multiple categories including Best Lead Performance in a Drama film for Amrit, at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards.
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
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