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It is said that no one quite beats the overseas diaspora in celebrating the culture of the Indian subcontinent. With Bollywood inadvertently being considered a genre in the West (when it ideally should not be), director Fawzia Mirza spins a fascinating tale around its golden days. One that chronicles the complex ties in a Canadian-Pakistani family, The Queen of My Dreams has a lesbian woman named Azra (Amrit Kaur) at its epicenter.
A generational tale, the film shows us the surprisingly glam life in 1969’s Karachi. There is a marriage, an immigration to Canada, episodes of growing up in a multicultural setup and living life as a queer person. The former’s courtship with her husband (Hamza Haq) becomes the film’s most exciting angle in a story that oscillates between a mother and a daughter. The Queen of My Dreams runs in a non-linear narrative with Kaur playing the protagonists at different stages of their lives.
Becoming a major visual catalyst and the third most significant element in the setup is the Bollywood actor Sharmila Tagore in her iconic film, Aradhana. The film’s popular ballad, ‘Mere Sapnon Ki Rani’ (literal translation of the film’s title), lends the much-needed soul to Mirza’s story. Its iterations appear at various points with different characters – accentuating its exotic appeal and the region’s rich culture. Mirza also introduces us to the amusing arranged marriage culture in the subcontinent. With Wes Anderson-like framing with register the repetition, the brief sequences remind us of Sachin Kundalkar’s 2012 comedy of manners, Aiyyaa.
A large part of The Queen of My Dreams focuses on two things: One is Azra dabbling between different universes (the one at home and one outside of it) in Canada. The other is the girl’s discovery of her Muslim roots, the prevalent patriarchy and orthodoxy of her homeland. We feel her angst when the customs reprimand her from taking part in a burial service. There’s also a group of Qawwal singers who become metaphorical to what she is going through.
The film’s queerness is mostly catalytic. It never becomes its central theme. The Queen of My Dreams avoids examining the cultural and familial impact of the leading character’s sexual orientation in depth. That said, there are mentions and clever bits that throw light on the subject (the best one being Azra wearing a white pajama while arguing with her mom).
The Queen of My Dreams benefits richly from its proficient lead cast. Amrit Kaur in a twin role lends energy and conviction to her characters’ unique rebellions. Nimra Bucha is delightfully hysterical as she represents every South Asian mother ever. Hamza Haq, in a comparatively shorter part, is an instant charmer with a winsome smile and a gait straight from the bygone era. The 1969 chapter featuring him and Kaur oozes classic rom-com oomph.
Fawzia Mirza’s screenplay does not delve much into issues. It renders The Queen of My Dreams a subtle ode to intergenerational conflicts besides paying a lovely tribute to Bollywood. Matt Irwin’s camera captures the past and present episodes with style and vibrance. Duly supported by Michael Pierson’s production design and Alysha Brilla’s apt original score, Mirza’s film emerges as an effortless watch.
Rating: ★★★ 1/2
