Controversial film Joyland releases in some parts of Pakistan
Saim Sadiq’s film Joyland has hit theatres in parts of Pakistan.
Last week, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting declared the internationally acclaimed film Joyland ‘uncertified’ for containing ‘highly objectionable content’.
Later, the committee constituted by PM Shehbaz Sharif to review the ban on the film Joyland gave a clearance certificate to the film but yesterday, the Punjab government banned the film to release in the province by quoting that persistent complaints were received from different parts.
Today, the internationally acclaimed film released in some parts of the country.
Directed by Saim Sadiq, the movie tells the love story between a youngster and a transgender starlet he meets after secretly joining an erotic dance theatre.
The film is surrounded by controversies from the time of the announcement of its release and people are speculating that it will promote homosexuality in Pakistan.
It is the first Pakistani movie to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize and the unofficial Queer Palm award which “is an independently sponsored prize for selected LGBT-relevant films”.
Nobel prize laureate Malala Yousafzai also joined Pakistan’s Oscar submission film Joyland’s team as executive producer. The film is Pakistan’s official entry for the international feature film award.
