After bagging several international awards, Saim Sadiq finally decided on a Joyland release date for Pakistan. The critically acclaimed film is set to hit theatres on November 24.
Express PK reported the release date along with news that both the Federal and Provincial censor boards have cleared the movie for release.
Now that the award-winning film has the green light, there is the question of whether the film was watered down for release in Pakistan. Saim Sadiq had always maintained that Joyland was meant to be watched by Pakistanis, but the question of whether it could be had remained a question.
Now the director assured there is nothing in his film that could irk censor boards. He only reaffirmed that the film was always made to be viewed by Pakistanis – with the Cannes win being a cherry on top.
“I knew the intent was always to screen the film in Pakistan, this whole other thing of going to Cannes and stuff, that just happened. But I made the film to show it here.”
Pakistani film Joyland bagged the Cannes Queer Palm prize for best LGBT, queer or feminist-themed films. A subject that’s very taboo in the conservative country.
Supposedly a tale of the sexual revolution, the movie features the story of a transgender dancer community in Pakistan. It follows the story of the youngest son in a patriarchal family who is expected to produce a baby boy with his wife. He instead joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for the troupe’s director, a transwoman.
It was the first-ever Pakistani competitive entry at the Cannes festival. Joyland also won the Jury Prize in the ‘Un Certain Regard’ competition, a segment focusing on young, innovative cinema talent.
