Pakistani-Canadian director Zarrar Kahn’s feature debut, “In Flames,” has received great attention and has been picked up for the U.S. market by Game Theory Films. The Urdu-language horror movie made its debut as part of the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight lineup, and it has been well-received for its gripping and unique storyline.
The film follows the story of a young woman and her mother who are tormented by both real and fantastic forces following the death of the family patriarch. The ensemble cast includes Ramesha Nawal, Bakhtawar Mazhar, Omar Javaid, Mohammad Ali Hashmi, Adnan Shah Tipu, and Jibraan Khan. “In Flames” has been described as a genre-bending film that captivates audiences around the world.
A theatrical release of “In Flames” is set for early 2024 in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Toronto, and Vancouver, with a particular focus on South Asian audiences across North America. Following the theatrical release, the film is also scheduled for a home video and video-on-demand release in the second quarter of 2024.
The distribution deal for “In Flames” with sales agent XYZ Films at AFM follows Game Theory Films’ earlier acquisition of the Canadian rights to the horror film from Cannes. Additionally, “In Flames” is Pakistan’s entry to the 96th Academy Awards for best international feature, showcasing its global appeal and acclaim. The film has also been shown at various international film festivals, including Toronto, Busan, Sitges, Pingyao, Helsinki, and SXSW Sydney. It will next compete at the Red Sea Film Festival, further solidifying its international recognition.
Game Theory Films co-president Hilary Hart, along with Will Woods, expressed their confidence in the film’s ability to resonate with American audiences. They shared their excitement about sharing Zarrar Kahn’s directorial debut with U.S. viewers. Meanwhile, XYZ Films launched a new label called New Visions, focusing on low-budget international genre films, with “In Flames” serving as the label’s inaugural release.
Director Zarrar Kahn expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Game Theory Films, considering it a dream collaboration for the distribution of “In Flames” to U.S. audiences. The boutique distributor’s focus on non-English language Canadian films includes acquiring other notable titles, such as Anthony Shim’s Toronto Platform Prize winner “Riceboy Sleeps” and the Tallinn Black Nights title “Tenzin,” directed by Joshua Reichmann and Michael LeBlanc.
The AFM distribution deal for “In Flames” was negotiated by Woods and Hart at Game Theory Films and by Shant Joshi at Fae Pictures on behalf of the filmmakers, highlighting the significant interest and investment in bringing the film to a wider audience.
Overall, the journey of “In Flames” from its premiere at Cannes to being selected as Pakistan’s entry for the Academy Awards shows its growing success and acclaim. With a powerful and gripping storyline, this genre-bending film has captured the attention of international audiences and continues to garner recognition on the global stage. Its association with reputable and forward-thinking distribution partners like Game Theory Films and XYZ Films further solidifies its potential for success in the U.S. market and beyond.