KCrush ‘In Flames’ Interview with Filmmaker Zarrar Kahn

For his feature directorial debut In Flames, Canadian-Pakistani filmmaker Zarrar Kahn, gives audiences a densely layered psychological horror story of how trauma and the secrets we keep can end up imprisoning us in a life of uncertainty, fear, and insecurity.

Based on his 2018 short film Dia, 2023’s feature adaptation stars Ramesha Nawal who for her first lead and film role, gives an extremely impressive performance as Mariam, a young college student who’s foray into romance and first love turns into a nightmare following a tragic accident. Unable to cope with the trauma which brings to mind memories of past incidents that haunt her, Miram withdraws into herself and away from her mother Fariha, played eloquently by Bakhtawar Mazhar.

As Mariam becomes aware of the danger men pose to her safety and peace of mind, Fariha herself is learning how to stand on her feet for the first time after living under the controlling guidance of her late father and husband.

Though mother and daughter seem to be fighting their own personal battles and demons, they’re ultimately fighting the same dark spectre of patriarchy. This system that though intangible in a sense, has very tangible effects on their lives and relationship with each other. Khan does an extremely impressive job of depicting this system as the horror that it is for women and young girls to live under.

While he may have set the events of In Flames in Karachi, Pakistan, Zarrar understands that the system is the same the world over. It doesn’t matter the city, language, or culture, patriarchy is present everywhere and exists as a looming presence that can take physical form in men who claim to be heroes but turn out to be a woman’s worst nightmare.

Doing an excellent job of building the film’s tense and disconcerting atmosphere were cinematographer Aigul Nrubulatova, editor Craig Scorgie, and composer Kalaisan Kalaichelvan.

In my interview with Zarrar we spoke about the danger men who want to be feminist allies can end up being a hindrance to women, building the sense of trepidation Miram experiences, and the trauma she and Farriha must work their way through. And during my conversation with Ramesha and Bakhtawar, we spoke about the ladies’ own perspectives on their characters, growing up and living in patriarchal societies, and mothers and daughters growing together to be their own personal heroes.

In Flames world premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and showed at various film festivals around the world including the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and Regent Park Film Festival, and on April 12th, 2024 had its North American theatrical release.

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
Phone: (647)216 – 5283
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12

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