The highly anticipated comedic drama “The Queen of My Dreams” is set to make its world premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 8. This film is a remarkable Canada-Pakistan co-production that promises to captivate audiences.
At the heart of the story is Azra, a Pakistani woman residing in Toronto, whose life stands in stark contrast to her conservative mother, Mariam.
The narrative takes a compelling turn when Azra’s father unexpectedly passes away during a trip to Pakistan. This tragic event catapults Azra into a Bollywood-inspired journey, intertwining her mother’s youth in Karachi with her own coming-of-age experiences in rural Canada.
Written and directed by the talented Fawzia Mirza, the film boasts a stellar cast that includes Amrit Kaur from “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” along with Nimra Bucha and Hamza Haq from “Transplant.” The ensemble also features acclaimed actors such as Gul-e-Rana, Ali Kazmi, Meher Jaffri, Bakhtawar Mazhar, and Adnan Jaffar.
Notably, “The Queen of My Dreams” marks Mirza’s debut as a feature film director, promising a fresh perspective and storytelling prowess. Director Mirza expressed her excitement, stating, “I always dreamt of making a feature film in Pakistan, and this entire experience was a dream come true.”
This film is the result of a unique cross-border collaboration, with Pakistani producers Kamil Chima and Carol Noronha partnering with Canadian producers Jason Levangie, Marc Tetreault, and Andria Wilson Mirza. Filming took place in Karachi, Pakistan, for a 30-day period, followed by a 10-day stint in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The international production team, including Canadian cinematographer Matt Irwin and production designer Michael Pierson, worked seamlessly with Karachi’s talented crew members to bring the film’s multiple time periods to life.
The film also benefits from the expertise of individuals like Cyrus Kyranjia, Imran Naeem, Fizza Ejaz, Faiz Rohani, Minahil Chima, Nanson Gill, 1st AD Farjad Akhtar, and unit production manager Ameer Hamza.?