Filmmaker Zarrar Kahn is poised to unveil a tantalizing glimpse of his globally recognized psychological thriller masterpiece, In Flames, with the release of its teaser on Friday. This highly anticipated film is set to captivate audiences in Pakistan with an exclusive 10-day screening at the Atrium Mall, Karachi, from October 20 to October 31, 2023.
Directed and written by the talented Pakistani filmmaker, Kahn, In Flames aims to explore the consequences of living in the confines of a fiercely patriarchal society. It seeks to illuminate the psychological impact of oppression and the complexities of young love in Pakistan.
In Flames intends to immerse you in the dusty beauty of Karachi, allowing you to witness the difficult choices that must be made to survive another day. It tells a captivating story centred around the struggles faced by a mother and daughter in the wake of the patriarch’s untimely demise.
The emotionally charged narrative resonates deeply with audiences, capturing their hearts with its raw authenticity. It has garnered global appreciation and recognition at prestigious international film festivals such as the 76th Cannes Film Festival, the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival. This is a truly revolutionary film, opening up new horizons in Pakistan.
Based on Kahn’s earlier short films, Dia (2018, 24 minutes) and Pak (eight minutes), In Flames was intended to be a drama about a young woman and her secret boyfriend. But the concept evolved into a thrilling narrative.
The director, who is based in Canada but was born and raised in Karachi, shared with Variety, “The themes were becoming also more relevant to what is happening in Pakistan at this time, around the conversation of women’s rights, property rights—a lot of these time optics are really in flux and in conflict right now, and those themes were also becoming more violent. So, it was really feeling not only is this the film that I could make, this is also the film that needs to be made.”
Kahn believes that In Flames serves as a vital cinematic contribution to the ongoing global discussion on women’s rights, extending beyond Pakistan and South Asia. He emphasised, “It’s happening all over the world right now—look at the US where rights are being rolled back. Look at Iran. It’s a global conversation. It definitely feels like the world is in flux in a lot of ways. My hope for the film worldwide is, I hope we get reactions.”
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