A new independent film from San Francisco-based medical doctor and filmmaker Doctor Zee tackles contemporary debates around bodily autonomy through the lens of supernatural horror. “Possession of Mara,” the sixth feature from the award-winning filmmaker, weaves themes of ‘My Body My Choice’ into its narrative framework. Film will remind the viewer of “Rosemary’s Baby’ and ‘The Shining’ but with a new twist. The filmmaker is introducing the new concept of ‘Iblis’ to the western world.
The film represents the latest work from a director whose unique background bridges medicine and cinema. After graduating from medical school at 26 and serving as Resident Physician at a hospital burn unit in rural Pakistan, Doctor Zee witnessed firsthand the tragic consequences faced by women in societies where their bodies were not their own. His experiences treating burn victims—many of whom had self-immolated to escape punishment from hostile in-laws for being unable to bear children or having insufficient dowries—fundamentally shaped his artistic vision.
This formative medical experience, where women died daily in his ward, prompted Doctor Zee’s transition to filmmaking twenty years ago upon arriving in the United States. His commitment to highlighting women’s struggles has remained central to his work, beginning with “Night of Henna,” shot by a three-time Emmy-nominated cinematographer Hiro Narita and continuing through “Bicycle Bride,” which received theatrical distribution in 20 cities through Pathfinder Pictures and international distribution via Cinema Arts Entertainment in France.
“Possession of Mara” arrives at a particularly charged moment in American discourse around reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. By employing horror genre conventions, the film explores these themes through a supernatural lens, continuing Doctor Zee’s pattern of using narrative cinema to examine issues of female empowerment and agency.
The San Francisco filmmaker’s latest project builds on his established reputation for creating thought-provoking independent features that address social issues through accessible storytelling. His unique perspective as both a medical professional and artist brings an informed sensibility to subjects that often become reduced to political talking points.
With six feature films now completed, Doctor Zee has established himself as a distinctive voice in independent cinema, consistently returning to themes of human empowerment that first motivated his career change two decades ago. “Possession of Mara” represents his most direct engagement yet with contemporary American debates around women’s rights and self-determination.
The film joins a growing body of horror cinema that uses genre elements to explore social and political themes, demonstrating how independent filmmakers continue to find creative ways to engage with pressing societal issues. For more information about “Possession of Mara” and Doctor Zee’s other films, visit doczeefilms.com.
