A scene from ‘Joyland’ | Photo Credit: Khoosat Films
Pakistani authorities have banned filmmaker Saeem Sadiq’s critically acclaimed film joyland months after a certificate was issued clearing the film for public viewing, alleging that it contained “highly objectionable material”.
joyland, which is also Pakistan’s official Oscar entry, was awarded a certificate by the government on 17 August. However, recently objections were raised on its content. This prompted the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to explicitly ban the film to avoid a backlash by the country’s conservative elements.
The ministry, in its notification dated November 11, said the film does not conform to the “social values and moral standards” of the country.
“Written complaints were received that the film contains highly objectionable material which is not in conformity with the social values and moral standards of our society and is clearly repugnant to the norms of decency and morality laid down in section 9 of the Motion Picture Ordinance.” 1979,” the minister said in the notification.
Sadiq’s directorial debut will compete for a spot in the final five in the Best International Feature category at the 2023 Academy Awards.
The ministry in its order has banned the screening of the film in the country. The film was set for theatrical release in Pakistan on 18 November.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 9(2)(a) of the said Ordinance and after conducting a comprehensive inquiry, the Federal Government declares the feature film titled ‘Joyland’ in cinemas as an uncertified film for the whole of Pakistan. which come under the jurisdiction of CBFC with immediate effect,” the order read.
joyland follows a patriarchal family, longing for the birth of a child to continue the family line, while their youngest son secretly becomes involved in an erotic dance theater and falls for a trans woman .
Sadiq wrote and directed the film, which stars Sania Saeed, Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Sarwat Geelani, Rusty Farooq, Salman Pirzada and Sohail Sameer.
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, the lone senator from the hardline Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan’s Senate, welcomed the government’s decision to ban the film, saying it was against Islam. He tweeted in Urdu, “Pakistan is an Islamic country and against any law, ideology or activity cannot be allowed.”
In a Twitter thread, actor Sarwat Geelani slammed Pakistani authorities for coming under pressure from “some malicious people” who are running a defamatory campaign against the film.
“Shameful that a Pakistani film made by 200 Pakistanis in 6 years, which got standing ovation from Toronto to Cairo to Cannes, is being stopped in its own country. Don’t take away this moment of pride and joy from our people No one’s forcing anyone to watch it! So don’t force anyone not to watch it! Pakistani audience is smart enough to know what they want to watch or not. Let Pakistanis decide! Don’t disrespect their intelligence and our hard work!” she wrote using the hashtag #ReleaseJoyland.
joyland It became the first Pakistani film to be screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Un Certain Regard Jury Award and the Queer Palm Award.
The film was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival.
On Friday, it won the Young Cinema Award at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, given in partnership with critics association NETPAC and the Griffith Film School.