The Queen Of My Dreams (12A)

A shared love of old South Asian films brings a Pakistani mother and daughter together in a warm-hearted, time-shifting comedy drama about cultural and generational divides.

Azra (Amrit Kaur) is worlds apart from her conservative muslim mother Mariam (Nimra Bucha). 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.

The film flashes back to 1969 Karachi, portraying a booming, groovy period where the young Mariam (also played by in a mesmerising dual performance 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.