For the first time in the history of Pakistan’s history, Saim Sadiq’s internationally acclaimed movie, Joyland, has made it to the shortlist of the 95th Academy Awards. Although the film has faced many trials and tribulations in its home country, it was a banger from the start internationally.
Today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) revealed the 15 shortlisted movies that will advance to the nomination process for the Best International Feature Film Oscar. While there were no jarring snubs against the AMPAS’ shortlist, one film people weren’t sure about making the cut was Pakistan’s submission, Joyland.
Malala Yousafzai, who recently joined Team Joyland as its executive producer, dialed up director Saim Sadiq to congratulate him on the milestone and share this moment of Pakistani pride.
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Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who is the Chair of the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee this year, shared the incredible news on Instagram:
Even British actor Riz Ahmed gushed over the news, sharing a screenshot on Instagram.
This is not the first for Joyland. It was also the first film from Pakistan to make it to the Cannes Film Festival where it won the Jury Prize in Un Certain Regard award and received a standing ovation. Since then, it has been to several international film festivals, earning prestige all over.
Prior to its release in Pakistan, the Federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had received written complaints that the movie contains “highly objectionable material” that is against the “social values and moral standards of our society”.
After facing a backlash from celebrities and the public for this decision, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a committee to review this decision and the ban was revoked. Still, Punjab reinstated the ban in the province though the film was released everywhere else and elicited glowing reviews.
For the unversed, Joyland celebrates the LGBTQ sexual revolution in Pakistan. It tells the story of the youngest son in a patriarchal family who is expected to produce a baby boy with his wife. He joins an erotic dance theatre instead and falls for the troupe’s director who is a transwoman.
Written and directed by Saim Sadiq, and produced by Apoorva Guru Charan, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, and Lauren Mann, Joyland features Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gillani, Salman Peerzada, Sohail Sameer, and Sania Saeed.
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