Ramesha Nawal is Mariam a young woman in Karachi in a psychologically vulnerable state following the death of her father and the betrayal of a male relative who seeks to steal the apartment she shares with her mother Fariha, played by Bakhtawar Mazhar. They’re stunned by the possibility of homelessness as they mourn, with no man to protect them. We experience Mariam’s vivid nightmares as Fariha worries with her frequent disappearances. Firts time filmmaker Zarrar Kahn’s In Flames reveals the traditional patriarchy of Pakistan abuses against vulnerable single women in his haunting film, as the women try to move forward. What She Said’ Anne Brodie spoke with Nawal and Mazhar.
In Flames in theatres now. Filmmaker Zarrar Khan and lead performers Ramesha Nawal and Bakhtawar Mazhar in attendance for a post-screening Q&A on Sunday, Apr 21, at 2:30pm at TIFF Lightbox.