The internet is demanding the nationwide release of the new LGBTQ film Joyland by Saim Sadiq after the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Information and Broadcast barred its release for not conforming with social values and moral standards.
Director Saim Sadiq was anxious about its reception in Pakistan but he got his answer over the weekend. Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed tweeted the letter by the ministry which labeled the previously certified film “uncertified” on Saturday.
الحمدللہ! @GovtofPakistan
نےمتنازع فلم جوائےلینڈکوجاری کردہ نمائش کالائسنس منسوخ کردیاہے۔نوٹیفیکیشن جاری،یہ حکومت کااحسن اقدام ہے۔پاکستان اسلامی مملکت ہےیہاں کوئی قانون، کوئی اقدام،کوئی نظریہ خلافِ اسلام نہیں چل سکتا۔#BanJoyland pic.twitter.com/tib00zo6Dd— Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan | سینیٹر مشتاق احمد خان (@SenatorMushtaq) November 12, 2022
The announcement has sparked outrage all over social media and Twitterati voiced their disapproval of the government’s decision. The sentiment has gotten the hashtag #ReleaseJoyland trending on the microblogging platform.
This is Alina Khan, the beautiful Biba from Joyland. This is her struggle. This is what happens when you're intentionally blind to the miseries of the trans community. This is what happens when you dehumanize a trans person. It's time we break this cruel cycle. #ReleaseJoyland pic.twitter.com/bgmhaMPlya
— Aimen (@mohsin_aimen) November 13, 2022
I wanna watch the film which has received a standing ovation at every film festival in World! We deserve good stories & good cinema #ReleaseJoyland pic.twitter.com/QLvmUk5uN5
— Aan Asif Cheema (@aanasifcheema) November 12, 2022
the pakistani public should be angry. the whole world is capable of receiving this movie & celebrating its EXCELLENCE but we, the people it is FROM & FOR are deemed not fit to watch it. why & for how long will we keep erasing the lives of the transgender community #releasejoyland
— Mehar Khursheed (@curlistani) November 13, 2022
One tweep wrote,
Not embracing diverse stories shows our fear to acknowledge our own reality that we are a diverse society where different beliefs, cultures, experiences, and struggles exist.
He added, “Art speaks to the audience, and we are too afraid to have a conversation”.
Not embracing diverse stories shows our fear to acknowledge our own reality that we are a diverse society where different beliefs, cultures, experiences and struggles exist. Art speaks to the audience, and we are too afraid to have a conversation. #ReleaseJoyland
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) November 13, 2022
Another netizen pointed out the hypocrisy of our industry with an example of the blockbuster film, The Legend of Maula Jatt, which had a controversial scene of a Punjabi man smoking scorpion dust with a sex slave chained to his bed.
I love that our moral brigade didn’t find a full bodied Punjabi man, smoking up scorpion dust and keeping sex slaves chained to his bed, ‘socially and morally offensive’, but the word ‘trans’ puts their knickers in a twist. #ReleaseJoyland #letcinemabreath
— AHI (@aamnaisani) November 13, 2022
The ban is not only depriving Pakistani cinema-goers of the film but is also hurting Pakistan’s chances at the upcoming Academy Awards as it was selected for The Oscar’s consideration this year.
Joyland needs to be released for a week before Nov 30 deadline for it to be eligible for Oscars this year. This is/was our best shot and the censor board is jeopardising it by listening to hypocrites who haven’t even seen the film.
There’s still time though: #ReleaseJoyland
— Usama Lali (@usamalali_) November 12, 2022
Fashion designer, Maria B., was one of the people not in favor of Joyland‘s domestic release. She opined that it goes against Pakistan’s Islamic values.
Twitterati troll the designer and calling her a hypocrite while sharing some questionable pieces from her clothing line.
The Islamic values Maria B is talking about. #ReleaseJoyland #BanHypocrisy pic.twitter.com/ETm8YOxO81
— Saman Tariq (@stariq88) November 13, 2022
What is Maria B so afraid of? Good design? Human rights? Nice chandeliers? #ReleaseJoyland
— Rimmel Mohydin (@Rimmel_Mohydin) November 13, 2022
Another tweep also pointed out that Pakistan’s censor board has no problem releasing a sexually explicit film like Kundi Na Kharka but is offended by a film like Joyland that raise awareness about the struggles of Pakistan’s transcommunity.
The people of Pakistan had no problem with the release of 'Kundi Na Kharka' neither its item songs. That did not threaten Maria B's family values neither did it offend Pakistani Censor Board's moral values but a film like Joyland does. Hmm. #ReleaseJoyland pic.twitter.com/xHj4kVTGBC
— Shyraa Roy (@shyraaroy) November 13, 2022
Joyland has enjoyed great success internationally as it was the first-ever Pakistani competitive entry at the Cannes film festival. The film also won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard competition — a segment that focused on young, innovative cinema talent, and was the winner of this year’s Queer Palme.
Joyland’s cast includes the icons Sania Saeed, Sarwat Gilani, Salman Peerzada, and Rasti Farooq, besides Alina Khan in the leading role.
The film was slated for an 18 November release this week but it looks like fans will not get to see the film anytime soon. What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.