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Joyland (film)

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Joyland
Release poster featuring a painting by Salman Toor
Directed bySaim Sadiq
Written by
  • Saim Sadiq
  • Maggie Briggs
Produced by
CinematographyJoe Saade
Edited by
  • Saim Sadiq
  • Jasmin Tenucci
Music byAbdullah Siddiqui
Production
companies
  • All Caps
  • Khoosat Films
  • Diversity Hire Ltd.
  • One Two Twenty Entertainment
  • Blood Moon Creative
  • NNB Digital Media
  • Film Manufacturers Inc.
  • Astrakan AB
  • Noruz Films
Distributed byFilm Constellation
Release dates
  • 23 May 2022 (2022-05-23) (Cannes)
  • 18 November 2022 (2022-11-18) (Pakistan)
Running time
126 minutes
CountryPakistan
LanguagesPunjabi
Urdu

Joyland is a 2022 Urdu and Punjabi-language Pakistani drama film written and directed by Saim Sadiq in his feature film directorial debut. The film stars Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gilani, and Salmaan Peerzada. It centers on the Rana family, whose patriarch yearns for the birth of another boy.[1]

It had its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on 23 May 2022 in Un Certain Regard, where it competed for the Caméra d'Or.[2] Joyland is the first Pakistani film to premiere at Cannes Film Festival and it received a standing ovation after its screening,[3] and also won Jury Prize[4] and Queer Palm prize for best LGBTQ, queer or feminist theme movie at the festival.[5]

The film was released in Pakistan on 18 November 2022.[6] It was selected as the Pakistani entry for Best International Feature Film at 95th Academy Awards.[7]

Synopsis

In inner-city Lahore, a wheelchair-bound yet severe patriarch (Salmaan Peerzada) is the head of the middle-class Rana family, which includes his two sons, daughters-in-law, and four granddaughters. He wants his children to give him a grandson and forces his daughter-in-law Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq) to quit her job after Haider (Ali Junejo), his younger son and her husband, finds work at an erotic dance theater. But all changes when Haider falls in love with Biba, a transgender dancer (Alina Khan).

Cast

Release

Screening

The film had its world premiere at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section on 23 May 2022.[10] Film Constellation, a U.K. and France-based sales firm, has taken up the international rights for the film, which will be shared with WME Independent for representation in North America.[11] French rights of the film were acquired by Condor.[1]

The film was invited at 2022 Toronto International Film Festival in 'Special Presentations' section and was screened on 8 September 2022.[12][13] It also made it to 'A Window on Asian Cinema' section of 27th Busan International Film Festival and was screened on October 6, 2022.[14]

Theatrical

The film was scheduled to be released in Pakistan on 18 November 2022.[6] However, Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting banned its release on account of the country's Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979.[15][16] This decision was reversed on November 16, clearing the way for domestic screenings of the film, after censoring several objectionable erotic scenes.[17]

Reception

Critical response

The film received widespread critical acclaim from international critics. It received a standing ovation at the premiere at Cannes Film Festival.[18] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 15 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.7/10.[19]

India

On the occasion of the film's India premiere, Anna M.M. Vetticad wrote on Firstpost: "In these divisive times, it is worth pondering over the many commonalities between our two countries – our failings included – as are reflected in this wonderfully sensitive chronicle of friendship and love, longing and loneliness, sexuality, desire, enforced gender roles, and the everydayness behind which prejudice, repression and oppression thrive." Vetticad added: "In contrast to the cacophony of tyranny and persecution accompanying Haider, Mumtaz and Biba’s journey, the film ... runs as smoothly as a symphony in motion."[20]

Siddhant Adlakha of IndieWire graded the film as B+ and wrote, "The frame moves slowly, if at all, but it always brims with physical and emotional energy; there’s always something in the ether, whether embodied by dazzling displays of light as characters move across stages and club floors or by breathtaking silences."[21]

In National Herald Namrata Joshi wrote that the film has been crafted on the "power of the implicit". Joshi praised "virtuoso cast", writing, "each character, irrespective of her or his length of stay on screen, is imbued with a rare completeness, and brought alive by meticulous, effortless performance". Concluding her review, she stated, "Joyland begins with a birth, a sense of hope and possibility but leaves one with a tremendous sense of loss." Next she brought out the pathos of the film writing, "The circle of life is communicated with tenderness and poise by Sadiq that makes it doubly poignant."[22]

Anupama Chopra reviewing the film, praised the performances of ensemble writing, "The actors - Ali Junejo , Salmaan Peerzada , Sarwat Gilani, Sania Saeed, and Alina Khan - deliver emotionally resonant performances." Chopra concluded, "With poetry and abiding melancholy, Joyland creates a poignant portrait of a splintered family". Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express found Joyland "the Pakistan’s first official entry, heartwarming ..."[23]

International

Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter, reviewing the film described it as a "family saga, one that [the director] Sadiq uses to observe how gender norms constrict, and then asphyxiate, individuals". In his bottom line comment, Gyarkye termed Joyland as "An aching consideration of gender and sexuality."[24]

Anna Smith of Deadline Hollywood Daily opined that the film "has a vivid sense of place, created not so much by its geographical backdrop as its characters." Smith concluding her review wrote, Joyland remains a thoughtful, well performed and engrossing drama set in a culture that’s shifting, and not always with ease."[25]

Allan Hunter of Screen Daily wrote, "Sadiq’s screenplay navigates a complex web of secrets and lies, pressures and prejudices to create a soulful human drama intent on challenging narrow minds." Hunter opined that "there are no real villains here beyond a society that imposes rigid expectations on individuals and genders" so, Hunter believed that "liberation carries a hefty price in Joyland, especially for the women," he further felt that "Sadiq’s engaging, thought-provoking film is fully aware of the sacrifices made and the struggles that still lie ahead."[26]

Film critic Jason Gorber, reviewing at Cannes festival, appreciated the film stating, "Expect this to be an absolute breakthrough from this year's Cannes 2022 with enormous international attention." Gorber found the film "Profound and powerful" and further stated, "Pakistani drama upends all expectation of cinema from that often closed culture, one that brashly looks at love, family, longing in its myriad forms.[27]

Ryan Leston of Slash Film rated the film with 7 out of 10 and praised the director Saim Sadiq for his subtle approach to the film. Leston appreciated the film calling it, "a wonderful film about longing and desire with a melancholy undertone that you just don't expect." Concluding review Leston observed, "Joyland is a profoundly moving film that might just make a difference."[28]

Guy Lodge of Variety found the film "tartly funny and plungingly sad in equal measure," and opined that, "as a tale of transgender desire in a Muslim country, its very premise makes it a boundary-breaker." Appreciating the director, Lodge wrote, "Sadiq's debut impresses with its sensitive storytelling and vibrant visuals."[29]

For Davide Abbatescianni, of The New Arab, the picture "deserves wide praise, especially considering the troubled socio-cultural context in which it was shot." Moreover, "it prompts important questions about chasing dreams and discovering our true selves."[30]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Cannes Film Festival 27 May 2022 Un Certain Regard Award Saim Sadiq Nominated [31]
Caméra d'Or Nominated
Un Certain Regard Jury Prize Won [4]
Queer Palm Won [32]
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 16 August 2022 Best Film From The Subcontinent Joyland Won [33]
London Film Festival 16 October 2022 Sutherland Award Nominated [34][35]
Sutherland Award Honourable Mention Won
Asia Pacific Screen Awards 11 November 2022 Young Cinema Award Saim Sadiq Won [36]
Independent Spirit Awards 4 March 2023 Best International Film Joyland Pending [37]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Barraclough, Leo (11 May 2022). "Cannes' Un Certain Regard Title 'Joyland' Swooped on by Condor in France (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  2. ^ Scott Roxborough (14 April 2022). "David Cronenberg, Park Chan-wook, Kelly Reichardt Set for Cannes Competition". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Cannes film festival gives standing ovation to Pakistani feature film 'Joyland': Watch". The News. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b Christian Zilko (27 May 2022). "Cannes Un Certain Regard Winners: 'The Worst Ones' and 'Joyland' Take Top Prizes". IndieWire. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Pakistani trans drama 'Joyland' wins 'Queer Palm' as Cannes film festival accused of 'cold-shouldering' the LGBTIQ+ award". SBS. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  6. ^ a b Narang, Gaurvi (6 October 2022). "Pakistan's Oscar entry has Malala backing but fate of transgender Act tells a different story". The Print. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  7. ^ "'Joyland' is Pakistan's entry for Oscars 2023". The Express Tribune. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  8. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (21 May 2022). "Cannes Title 'Joyland' Celebrates Pakistan's Transgender Culture". Variety. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Pakistan's first Cannes film a 'dream come true'". Arab News. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Pakistani film 'Joyland' receives standing ovation at Cannes". The Times of India. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  11. ^ Ramachandran, Naman; Frater, Patrick (21 April 2022). "'Joyland' Cannes Film From Pakistan Picked up by Film Constellation, WME". Variety. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  12. ^ Welk, Brian (28 July 2022). ""TIFF 2022 Lineup: Films From Tyler Perry, Peter Farrelly, Sam Mendes and Catherine Hardwicke to Premiere"". TheWrap. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Toronto International Film Festival; Special presentations: Joyland". Toronto International Film Festival. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Joyland". Busan International Film Festival. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  15. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (13 November 2022). "Pakistan Bans Oscar Contender 'Joyland' for its 'Repugnant' Material". Variety. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  16. ^ Ebrahim, Zofeen (15 November 2022). "'It's not against Islam': Pakistani trans actor tells of deep sadness over film ban". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Film depicting transgender love affair to be screened in Pakistan". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 16 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Here's what the international press has to say about Pakistani film Joyland". Images Dawn. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Joyland". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 1 November 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  20. ^ Vetticad, A.M.M. (5 November 2022). "Joyland movie review: Beautifully told tale of soul-crushing patriarchy and LGBTphobia in Lahore". Firstpost. Entertainment News. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  21. ^ Adlakha, Siddhant (23 May 2022). "Joyland review: A daring queer Pakistani drama about desire". IndieWire. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  22. ^ Joshi, Namrata (25 May 2022). "Joyland review: Pushing the envelope". National Herald. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  23. ^ Gupta, Shubhra (25 May 2022). "Cannes 2022: Splendid reception for India's All that Breathes, Pakistan's Joyland". The Indian Express. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  24. ^ Gyarkye, Lovia (23 May 2022). "Joyland: Film review - Cannes 2022". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  25. ^ Smith, Anna (23 May 2022). "Cannes review: Saim Sadiq's Joyland". Deadline. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  26. ^ Hunter, Allan (23 May 2022). "Joyland: Cannes review". Screen Daily. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  27. ^ Gorber, Jason (23 May 2022). "Cannes 2022: Joyland review". That Shelf. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  28. ^ Leston, Ryan (31 May 2022). "Joyland review: A longing examination of gender and sexuality [Cannes]". Slash Film. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  29. ^ Lodge, Guy (10 June 2022). "Joyland review: Unexpected trans-cis romance blossoms in a luminous Pakistani crowd-pleaser". Variety. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  30. ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (8 July 2022). "Joyland: A queer Pakistani dramedy about human fragility". The New Arab. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  31. ^ "The films of the Official Selection 2022 - Festival de Cannes". festival-cannes.com. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  32. ^ "Pakistani trans drama wins Cannes 'Queer Palm' award". France 24. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  33. ^ Arora, Sumit (16 August 2022). "Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) Awards 2022 announced". Adda247. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  34. ^ "Full programme announced for 66th BFI London Film Festival". BFI. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  35. ^ Ntim, Zac (16 October 2022). "London Film Festival Winners: Vicky Krieps-Starrer 'Corsage' Takes Best Film Award". Deadline. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  36. ^ Frater, Patrick (12 October 2022). "Kamila Andini's 'Before Now and Then' Heads APSA Award Nominations, New Zealand's 'Muru' Collects Diversity Prize". Variety. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  37. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (22 November 2022). "2023 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations Announced (Updating Live)". IndieWire. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
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