“Just waking up and moving through the world we inherit a lot of horror”: Nabhaan Rizwan, Naqqash Khalid and Amir El Masry on In Camera

In Camera is the fiercely original feature debut from Naqqash Khalid that skewers the film and TV industry’s stereotyping and typecasting of non-white actors through a playful and idiosyncratic cinematic language.

The Upcoming spoke to the director and two of its stars during London Film Festival about breaking with conventions in visual storytelling through a satirical, surreal narrative that is akin to a fairytale yet remains rooted in reality. Nabhaan Rizwan discussed his impressive turn as Aiden, a character struggling to swallow his pride and face the societal horrors he suffers as a fledging actor, while Amir El Masry spoke about playing Conrad, a flashy, confident fashion consultant, whose identity and place in the world are central to the narrative. The trio shared the collaborative spirit on set, with a focus on creating a relaxed and nurturing environment that allowed for spontaneous creativity. They also reflected on the meta aspects of the bold feature, touching on the often superficial nature of representation in the industry and the personal experiences that informed their performances. 

We also heard more from the director during the opening of the London Film Festival.

And from Rizwan on the red carpet for the British Independent Film Awards where he was nominated for his performance.

Sarah Bradbury

In Camera is released in select cinemas on 13^th September 2024.

Watch the trailer for In Camera here: