Movie fans can stream the overlooked drama In Camera, hailed as 'extraordinary', for free on BBC iPlayer. Written and directed by Naqqash Khalid, the film follows Nabhaan Rizwan as Aden, a young actor trapped in nightmarish auditions who forges his own path after repeated rejections.
Plot and cast
A synopsis reads: "The film defies conventional filmmaking norms, crafting a thought-provoking dialogue between the observer and the observed. IN CAMERA offers a satirical commentary on contemporary race politics, showcasing both Rizwan’s remarkable talent and Khalid’s bold vision as a storyteller."
Starring alongside Rizwan are Amir El-Masry (The Crown), Rory Fleck Byrne (Vampire Academy), Aston McAuley, Josie Walker (Call the Midwife), and Antonio Aakeel (Three Girls). The cast also includes Shahid Ahmed, Jamie Ballard, Gana Bayarsaikhan, Clare Burt, Sarah-Jane Potts, and Hussina Raja.
Director and star's vision
Speaking to Gentleman's Journal, Rizwan said: "In the first conversation I had with Naqqash, he told me that filmmaking should only be an act of invention. And so the process of making In Camera was to do just that, and dispel any rules and conventions we'd learned along the way."
Together Films' Jess Reilly, who agreed a distribution pact with Sunrise Film's Andrew Nerger, told Variety: "In Camera is an extraordinary debut that speaks to the struggles and resilience of creatives everywhere. Naqqash Khalid’s distinctive voice and Nabhaan Rizwan’s compelling performance make this a standout title." Nerger added: "Naqqash and Nabhaan are both extraordinary talents and are primed for big things ahead. We are delighted to bring this fantastic showcase of next gen British talent to audiences in North America."
Audience and critical reception
Viewers have praised the film. One said: "What's more, Khalid, is both thoughtful and courageous in how humour is interwoven among the many themes that some find challenging to present In Camera. A brilliant debut from a very passionate, dedicated and gracious person and creator." Another commented: "The focussed, internalised tone is powerfully involving, leading the audience into intensely provocative places. This is bracingly ambitious filmmaking, performed with daring audacity by Nabhaan Rizwan. And it's often devastatingly sharp." A third added: "The film is at its best when Khalid lets us sit in a discomfiting moment... In Camera doesn’t always hang together, but when it snaps into focus it’s an audacious and exciting picture to experience."
You can stream In Camera on BBC iPlayer.
