'Joyland'

Director: Saim Sadiq | Runtime: 127 minutes | Year: 2022 | Rating: UR | Country: Pakistan | Language: Urdu, Punjabi w/ English subtitles | Fiction

Genre: Fiction, Drama

Tagline: 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.

Critic Quotes: “A storming debut from writer-director Saim Sadiq: emotional, tender, and quietly radical. With any luck, it will herald a new era for Pakistani cinema.” - Empire Magazine

“Sadiq's debut impresses with its sensitive storytelling and vibrant visuals.” - Variety

“Joyland is such a delicate, intelligent and emotionally rich film. What a debut from Sadiq.” - Guardian

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