Zenofar Fathima has been gaining constant recognition for her natural flair as a filmmaker and an actor. Having produced and directed over 20 short films in a span of five years, what sets the filmmaker apart is the fact that her films aptly tackle significant issues such as cyber extortion, depression, COVID-19 and even domestic violence. Following the international success of her award-winning meta-spiritual musical and short film Ayah, in association with Firdaus Studio by AR Rahman, Dubai-based Zenofar is now returning to her horror-thriller origins with her psychological horror series, No Way Out. In an exclusive interview with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, the filmmaker talks all about her new series and reveals her inspiration
What draws you to filmmaking?
Filmmaking is a visual medium that I have grown to not only love but appreciate from my early years. Right from the days that I was taken to the cinema as a child, up till now, I have always been in awe of how filmmakers are able to tell stories, using purely visuals and sometimes no words or dialogue. It drew me in mainly because of the freedom one has with such an art form, and its ability to communicate messages in ways that aren’t necessarily possible through books, or music. Besides being a cinephile, I believe the world needs movies to be entertained and transported to a world different from their status quo, and also to become more self-aware as an individual. It is a compliment when someone says they were entertained by your film, but it’s an achievement when they say they’ve learnt something from it.
“With my films, I can’t necessarily promise a concrete answer, but what I can promise audiences is that they will be able to resonate with the experiences of characters and understand that solutions do exist.”
Supernatural is a recurring theme in your films. Tell us about your fascination for the supernatural and the horror genre.
The supernatural horror sub-genre has always intrigued me as what lies in between our world and the one we aren’t necessarily privy to, is one that has so many interpretations. We as humans do not necessarily have any objective proof of the supernatural, and we resort to movies, books and our personal experiences to conjure an imaginary world of our own. The process of developing, or rather building such a world is one that is very engaging and sublimely fascinating.
You have tackled various significant issues such as cyber extortion, depression, COVID-19 and even domestic violence, and no matter what the genre, all your films have an underlying message at heart. What’s the thought behind that?
The thought behind that stems from being a person who has been hearing about the trials and tribulations of people from all walks of life. The one common element I notice in such scenarios is that everyone is looking for an answer to their issues. With my films, I can’t necessarily promise a concrete answer, but what I can promise audiences is that they will be able to resonate with the experiences of characters and understand that solutions do exist. Moreover, I am a believer in the idea that if a risk cannot be averted, there is always a way to minimize the damage that has been done, and my films focus on this too.
Tell us more about No Way Out
No Way Out is a psychological horror/thriller feature film that is being produced by my boutique production company Zen Film Productions, and directed by me. The film also stars me, as well as up and coming stars such as UAE lifestyle and fashion influencer Muhammad Junaid a.k.a. Ganook King, award-winning emcee and celebrity host Joe Mohan a.k.a. VoiceGuyJoe, and budding teen actor and model Chitraang Chauhan. New additions to the cast include Priya Telavvane, actor, architect entrepreneur and trained dancer, and Allinson Louis Aranha, a professionally trained method actor. No Way Out initially started out as a short film collaboration between Zen Film Productions and renowned escape room brand Horror Rooms by No Way Out Dubai. It focuses on a group of individuals who visit an escape room for an alleged casting call for a horror film. As they learn about the conditions of the audition, they begin to suspect that larger forces are at play. The short is available for viewing on Zen Film Productions’ official YouTube channel House of Zen. After it reached an unprecedented level of popularity online, we decided to extend the narrative to become a full-fledged feature film, which is now renamed to Specter: No Way Out and slated for a release this year.
As with all your projects, besides promising to be an exhilarating, edge-of-the-seat experience, will Specter: No Way Out also carry a poignant social message to audiences because it is often unheard of in the horror genre?
The most exciting element about Specter: No Way Out, is that it puts a spin on typical escape room films. Whilst most audiences might simply expect a few spooks and scares, the reality is that the plot is actually founded upon a very significant social message which is seamlessly integrated within the narrative.
What do you look at for inspiration?
After my own empirical knowledge and experiences and field research or talking to people. Also I watch movies… I pick out any films that I can use as comparatives in terms of narrative, genre and tone. These help me narrow down the elements of the plot as well as understand my own motives and creative direction for the film.
Have you ever had a supernatural experience that you can share?
I have had many supernatural experiences. Once when I was praying, I saw an angel that told me what was going to happen in the future. To my surprise, whatever it said had happened and from then on I am always ready to expect the unexpected.
“Besides being a cinephile, I believe the world needs movies to be entertained and transported to a world different from their status quo, and also to become more self-aware as an individual. It is a compliment when someone says they were entertained by your film, but it’s an achievement when they say they’ve learnt something from it.”
How do you balance all aspects of your life?
I do believe that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So one of the main aspects of my life is planning. Though life gets busy, with meetings, work and the gym as well as taking care of my kids, planning my day in the morning as well as in the evening for the next day helps me keep in check with myself, professionally and personally.
Tell us about your passion for fitness!
My passion for fitness started when I realized I needed a change in my lifestyle, which felt sedentary. Making the active decision to initiate my fitness journey was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and it continues to transform my life. A key motivator in my journey were the people I was surrounded with in the gym who pushed themselves no matter what, and that was what motivated me to not give up. Another key force in my journey is my trainer, Christina, who has been ensuring my form, technique and posture is on point during my sets. It is important that your trainer – who is like a second doctor to you – analyses your body and its limits accordingly, because fitness should become a part of life but not the point of injury. I would also like to mention that the gym I train at, Binous1, has played an instrumental part in my journey too, not just in terms of training but also for shooting purposes as well.
What’s the way forward?
As a result of all of my positive fitness experiences, I am now working on developing my first feature film known as Beyond the Limit, which is a coming of age story of an athlete and his battles with life’s many adversities. The film is currently in its pre-production phase and slated to release early this year. We are also currently in talks for the film to be distributed internationally.