The Queen of My Dreams is a 2023 Canadian-Pakistani[2] comedy-drama film, written and directed by Fawzia Mirza in her feature directorial debut.[3] The film is based on Mirza's theatrical stage play Me, My Mom & Sharmila, which in turn was based on her 2012 short film The Queen of My Dreams.[4]The film stars Amrit Kaur as Azra, a Pakistani Canadian woman who has had a strained relationship with her parents since coming out as lesbian, who undergoes an emotional journey after the sudden unexpected death of her father Hassan (Hamza Haq).[5]
| The Queen of My Dreams | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Fawzia Mirza |
| Screenplay by | Fawzia Mirza |
| Based on | Me, My Mom & Sharmila by Fawzia Mirza The Queen of My Dreams by Fawzia Mirza |
| Produced by | Jason Levangie Andria Wilson Mirza Marc Tetreault |
| Starring | Amrit Kaur Nimra Bucha Hamza Haq Uzma Beg |
| Cinematography | Matt Irwin |
| Edited by | Simone Smith |
| Music by | Alysha Brilla |
Production companies | Baby Daal Productions Shut Up & Colour Pictures |
| Distributed by | Cineplex Pictures[1] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Countries | Canada Pakistan |
| Languages | English Urdu |
The film had its world premiere in the Discovery program at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.[6]
Cast
editThe cast is led by Amrit Kaur as Azra and Hamza Haq as her father, Hassan.
The film's supporting cast includes Nimra Bucha, Charlie Boyle, Kirstin Howell, Josh MacDonald, Ali Kazmi, Lindsay Watters, Uzma Beg, Kya Mosey, Emerson MacNeil, Meher Jaffri, Ayana Manji, Adnan Jaffar and Bakhtawar Mazhar.
Production
editThe film was shot in 2022, under the working title Me, My Mom & Sharmila.[7] It was adapted from Mirza's theatrical stage play of the same name,[8] which was itself drawn from her 2012 short film The Queen of My Dreams.
Distribution
editThe film was screened at the Cannes Film Market in May 2023,[5] and had its public premiere in the Discovery program at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.[6]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10.[9] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 66 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[10]
The film was named to TIFF's annual Canada's Top Ten list for 2023.[11]
Awards
editThe film was shortlisted for the 2023 Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award.[12]
The film received five Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 12th Canadian Screen Awards in 2024, for Best Lead Performance in a Drama Film (Kaur), Best Adapted Screenplay (Mirza), Best Art Direction/Production Design (Michael Pierson), Best Original Score (Alysha Brilla) and Best Original Song (Qurram Hussain for "Ishq Ki Na Koi Bhi Hud Hai"), winning for Best Lead Performance and Best Original Song.[13]
Mirza was co-winner, with Karen Knox for We Forgot to Break Up, of the DGC Award for Best Direction in a Feature Film.[14]
References
edit- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (7 March 2024). "SXSW-Bound Canadian Film 'The Queen of My Dreams' Sells to U.K. and More International Markets for LevelK". Variety. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ Mullen, Pat (2024-03-24). "How The Queen of My Dreams Brings Canadian Film Forward". That Shelf. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ Wendy Mitchell, "LevelK takes on international sales for TIFF-bound 'The Queen Of My Dreams'". Screen Daily, August 8, 2023.
- ^ Victoria Ahearn, "Fawzia Mirza's Me, My Mom & Sharmila sets up for production". Playback, August 29, 2022.
- ^ a b Marta Bałaga, "Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival Unveils Goes to Cannes Lineup, a 'Rich Tapestry of Stories'". Variety, May 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Valerie Complex, "TIFF Unveils Cinematic First Looks With Discovery And Midnight Madness Program; World Premieres Include 'Hell Of A Summer,' 'Gonzo Girl,' 'Widow Clicquot,' And 'Boy Kills World'". Deadline Hollywood, August 3, 2023.
- ^ Naman Ramachandran, "Amrit Kaur, Hamza Haq, Nimra Bucha Lead Fawzia Mirza's Pakistani-Canadian Film 'Me, My Mom & Sharmila'". Variety, August 24, 2022.
- ^ Victoria Ahearn, "Fawzia Mirza's Me, My Mom & Sharmila sets up for production". Playback, August 29, 2022.
- ^ "The Queen of My Dreams". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "The Queen of My Dreams critic reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ Pat Mullen, "TIFF's Canada's Top Ten Includes BlackBerry, Solo, Humanist Vampire". That Shelf, December 6, 2023.
- ^ Taimur Sikander Mirza, "Women Talking leads film nominees for 2023 DGC Awards". Playback, September 20, 2023.
- ^ "BlackBerry Leads CSA Nominations". Northern Stars, March 6, 2024.
- ^ Alex Nino Gheciu, "‘Queen of My Dreams,’ ‘We Forgot to Break Up’ tie for top Directors Guild award". Brandon Sun, October 28, 2024.