Joyland
A picture of considerable integrity, passion, and bravery.
Joyland
The debut feature from writer-director Saim Sadiq, Joyland explores the many sides of love and desire in a patriarchal society. Gentle and timid, Haider (Ali Junejo) lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father, and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. Following a long spell of unemployment, Haider finally lands a job at a Bollywood-style burlesque, telling his family he is a theater manager, when in actuality, he is a backup dancer. The unusual position shakes up the steadfast traditional dynamics of his household and enables Haider to break out of his shell. As he acclimates to the new job, Haider becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman Biba (Alina Khan) who runs the show—an unforeseen partnership that opens his eyes and ultimately his worldview, in ways both unexpected and intimate.
Genre
Drama,
LGBTQ+
Runtime
127
Language
Punjabi,
Urdu
Director
Saim Sadiq
Writer(s)
Saim Sadiq,
Maggie Briggs
Cast
Ali Junejo as Haider,
Rasti Farooq as Mumtaz,
Alina Khan as Biba,
Sarwat Gilani as Nucchi,
Salmaan Peerzada as Rana Amanullah,
Sohail Sameer as Saleem,
Sania Saeed as Fayyaz
Awards:
Winner, Best Foreign Film, Spirit Awards
Winner, Directors to Watch, Palm Springs International Film Festival
Nominee, FIPRESCI Prize ~ Best Foreign Language Film, Palm Springs International Film Festival
Winner, FIPRESCI Prize ~ Best Actor, Palm Springs International Film Festival
Winner, Queer Palm, Cannes Film Festival
Winner, Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, Cannes Film Festival
MOREPlayed at
NoHo 7 4.28.23 - 5.04.23
Glendale 4.28.23 - 5.11.23
Monica Film Center 5.05.23 - 5.11.23
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