Before its big showing in the U.S. at the SXSW festival, “The Queen of My Dreams” has caught the attention of movie distributors from various countries, including the U.K. and Ireland, where Peccadillo Pictures has grabbed the rights to show it.
The film, a vibrant mix of drama and comedy, first made its appearance at the Toronto film festival and then at the BFI London Film Festival. It’s scheduled to be featured in the Festival Favorites category at SXSW.
Apart from the U.K. and Ireland, the movie has also found its way to audiences in Eastern Europe through HBO, in Indonesia with PT. Falcon, and in Pakistan via Cine Entertainment. Negotiations are ongoing to bring it to even more viewers. In Canada, Cineplex plans to widely release the film starting March 22.
SXSW-Bound Canadian Film 'The Queen of My Dreams' Sells to U.K. and More International Markets for LevelK (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/ySCpHbJMRt
— Variety (@Variety) March 7, 2024
“The Queen of My Dreams” tells the story of Azra, a Pakistani woman living in Toronto, who experiences a cultural and generational gap with her traditional Muslim mother. The story takes a dramatic turn when Azra’s father passes away suddenly in Pakistan, prompting her to embark on a journey filled with Bollywood-inspired memories. This journey spans her mother’s younger days in Karachi and her own upbringing in rural Canada.
Tom Abell from Peccadillo Pictures expressed his admiration for the film, praising its ability to vividly portray two distinct time periods. He’s excited to introduce the film to audiences in the U.K. and Ireland.
The film’s creator, Mirza, highlights that the movie is not just a story about a mother and daughter but also celebrates the strength and joy of Muslim and South Asian women. Shooting the film in Pakistan and Canada was a dream come true for Mirza, who has been recognized for her contributions to Asian American storytelling.
Produced by Jason Levangie and Marc Tetreault for Shut Up & Color Pictures, along with Andria Wilson Mirza for Baby Daal Productions, the movie has received financial backing from various Canadian sources, including Telefilm Canada and the Canada Media Fund, showcasing a strong support network for this cross-cultural tale. Source
