The Pakistani Academy Selection Committee (PASC) has deliberated and officially selected “In Flames,” a horror film directed by Zarrar Khan and produced by Anam Abbas, as Pakistan’s official submission for consideration at the 96th Academy Awards. Premiering at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, the film is set in Karachi, delving into the struggles of a mother and daughter grappling with both tangible and spectral entities following the demise of their family’s patriarch.
Anam Abbas served as the producer, with Shant Joshi, Todd Brown, and Maxime Cottray taking on the roles of executive producers. The movie secured a place in XYZ’s New Visions lineup, and according to reports from Variety, XYZ joined the project last year.
Chairperson Mohammed Ali Naqvi of PASC expressed, “We proudly nominate ‘In Flames’ to represent Pakistan in the International Feature category at the Oscars. This selection not only highlights the film’s brilliance but also signifies a significant milestone for Pakistani cinema on the global stage. ‘In Flames’ embodies the limitless potential of Pakistani cinema.”
Director Zarrar Khan commented, “We are deeply humbled by the recognition from Pakistan’s Oscar committee. Despite facing controversy with local distributors, we are self-distributing the film in Pakistan. The overwhelming response from Pakistani audiences has been encouraging, and we are grateful to showcase the film in the city it was created.”
Kahn further emphasized, “‘In Flames’ is a beacon of representation, showcasing resilience both on and off-screen. In a year of outstanding global cinema, ‘In Flames’ has garnered acclaim from Cannes, TIFF, Sitges, Busan, and Red Sea. The film serves as a rallying cry against patriarchal oppression and a testament to the power of community. In today’s tumultuous world, it offers solace to the marginalized, asserting that hope can never be extinguished.”
The 2023 PASC jury comprises distinguished individuals including actor Ahmed Ali Akbar, director Bilal Lashari, author Fatima Bhutto, actor Fawad Khan, Frieha Altaf, Haya Fatima Iqbal of the Documentary Association of Pakistan, documentary filmmaker Madeeha Syed, director Mehreen Jabbar, veteran actor and director Nadia Afgan, and director Saim Sadiq of “Joyland,” Pakistan’s previous Oscar submission. “In Flames” is currently screening in cinemas across Pakistan.
