-Written by Kyle Bain.
2024 MUSLIM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
In Camera follows Aden (Nabhaan Rizwan), an actor that lately has experienced the wrath of the industry. Struggling to find a job to help him make rent, he decides to make things happen for himself. He possesses the gusto, the charm, and the talent–now is his chance to move onto bigger and better things.
Viewers quickly become enveloped in the darkness that seems to consume Aden–a literal darkness representative of the hardship that he has recently faced in his career. Writer-Director Naqqash Khalid does a beautiful and thorough job of setting the scene, quickly developing a tone that viewers are able to easily access and relate to. We are able to feel and appreciate the tension that exists throughout the course of In Camera as a result of the lighting. Developing this harsh tone is essential to the success of the film, and the tension is only able to build as a result of what Khalid is able to create in the early going. He never falters in this regard, always finding ways to heighten the experience and ensure that viewers understand the tone and Aden’s emotional state throughout the course of In Camera.
As titillating as the tone of the film is, the most impressive aspect of In Camera is Rizwan. He’s brilliant in his performance, able to captivate audiences and step into the shoes of the plethora of characters in which he portrays throughout the film. Again and again we find Aden on auditions, oftentimes we see him playing out new roles on those auditions, and Rizwan is able to transition from Aden to terrorist, and alien to beloved child with ease. He never misses a beat, he never struggles to get into character or convince viewers that he is who he says he is. Even knowing that these are characters that Aden is playing, I was able to suspend my disbelief and accept them as he dives deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole. In Camera showcases Rizwan’s talent from beginning to end, and a brilliant talent it is.
In Camera is perfectly subtle in its approach toward addressing prejudice–and, like the lighting, Khalid makes the perfect decision in this regard, certain to bring this film’s purpose to life without antagonizing. He’s careful not to be too aggressive, and that allows him to shed light on this issue in a way that everyone can appreciate.
Finally, as we inch toward a close, what seemed to be a relatively straightforward story shifts to something much larger, much more profound. In Camera twists and turns into something significantly bigger than what I had initially anticipated, but after the big reveal, it becomes clear that Khalid had effectively prepared viewers for what was to come. Everything leads to this–and it’s a perfect ending to a brilliant film.
In Camera touches on something very real: prejudice, but it’s not approached the same way that many of this film’s contemporaries have. Being reserved in its approach, but making the message accessible and understandable invites viewers into it, allowing them to truly appreciate the sentiment behind the film. The narrative through the first hour-and-ten minutes is relatively standard, but still intriguing–and then Khalid hits us over the head with something massive, and as In Camera comes to a close, everything that played out throughout the course of the film up to this point peaks, leaving us with something delicious.
Written & Directed by Naqqash Khalid.
Starring Nabhaan Rizwan, Amir El-Masry, Rory Fleck Byrne, Aston McAuley, Josie Walker, Antonio Aakeel, etc.
9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND GET TO THE THEATER NOW
