A year after its release, Joyland is still making headlines. The Pakistani film, directed by Saim Sadiq and starring Ali Junejo and Alina Khan, has been named one of the “best films of 2023 so far” by The Guardian. The film joins other acclaimed titles such as Polite Society, Pearl, Alcarràs, and Return to Seoul.
A widower and his children are the subjects of the ground-breaking movie Joyland, which examines how they navigate their social and sexual identities in a traditional society. The film features a transgender dancer who becomes the love interest of the main character, played by Junejo. The Guardian praised the film for its “delicacy and tenderness” in portraying the complex emotions of the characters.
The film has won several awards and accolades, including Pakistan’s first-ever Cannes award in the Un Certain Regard category. It was also shortlisted for the Oscars, making it the first Pakistani film to achieve this feat. However, it did not make it to the final nominations. The film has also received recognition from other prestigious film festivals, such as the Spirit Awards and the Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF).
The film has also attracted the attention and support of many global celebrities, such as actor Riz Ahmed and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, who are now executive producers of the film. They have expressed their admiration for the film and its message of love and acceptance.
Joyland was initially banned in Pakistan but was later released in some cities of Sindh and Islamabad. The film has been hailed as a “boundary-breaker” and “crowdpleaser” by Variety and has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. Joyland is a film that celebrates diversity and challenges stereotypes and showcases the talent and potential of Pakistani cinema.