Noble Prize Laureate Malala speaks in favour of Joyland

Nobel prize laureate Malala Yousafzai who is an executive producer of Joyland said that the film is a mirror for Pakistani people who prefer fantasy over reality.

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 gave a clearance certificate to release the film nationwide. Yesterday, the Punjab government banned the film to release in the province by quoting that persistent complaints were received from different parts against Joyland.

In the writing piece for Variety, Malala talks about how the film is a piece of art, not an argument for or against something. It is also a love letter to Pakistan, to its culture, food, fashion and, most of all, its people.

“Joyland is not activism posing as art. It doesn’t argue for a particular point of view or issue a call to action. The film treats each character with compassion, from the ageing grandfather imposing his will on his family to the young wife who wants more than the men around her are willing to give”, wrote Malala.

While talking about patriarchy, she said, “It’s a film about the ways in which patriarchy hurts everyone — men, women and children. It’s a film about the costs of ignoring our own dreams to conform to society around us”.

“Joyland is also a love letter to Pakistan, to its culture, food, fashion and, most of all, its people. How tragic that a film created by and for Pakistanis is now banned from our screens because of claims that it does not “represent our way of life” or “portrays a negative image of our country.” The opposite is true — the film reflects reality for millions of ordinary Pakistanis, people who yearn for freedom and fulfilment, people who create moments of joy every day for those they love”, said Malal