Azra, a Pakistani woman living in Toronto, is worlds apart from her conservative Muslim mother. When her father suddenly dies on a trip home to Pakistan, Azra finds herself on a Bollywood-inspired journey through memories, both real and imagined, from her mother's youth in Karachi to her own coming-of-age in rural Canada.
Queen of My Dreams■
Synopsis
Azra is worlds apart from her conservative muslim mother. When her father suddenly dies on a trip home to Karachi, Azra finds herself on a Bollywood-inspired journey through memories, both real and imagined; from her mother’s youth in Karachi to her own coming-of-age in Canada.
1999, Azra (Amrit Kaur) travels from Toronto to Karachi after her father Hassan's (Hamza Haq) sudden death, forcing her to confront her complicated relationship with her mother Mariam (Nimra Bucha).
The film flashes back to 1960s Karachi, portraying a booming, groovy period where the young Mariam (also played by Kaur) rebelliously pursues her own path in life. When a chance meeting with Hassan occurred, it was love at first sight.
In the modern-day storyline, Azra must navigate mourning her idealised late father while trying to understand her equally complex mother. It's a story about intergenerational divides, culture clashes, and the messy reality of mother-daughter relationships.
While paying homage to the classic Bollywood film and song "Meri Sapno Ki Rani" (literally "The Queen of My Dreams"), the film’s heart lies in Mirza's very personal look at her own family dynamics and quest for self-discovery. The film is an insightful, comedic, and moving examination of South Asian identity.
Credits
Rating: 12A
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Director: Fawzia Mirza
Stars: Amrit Kaur, Hamza Haq, Nimra Bucha