›Joyland‹ immerses us into the nightlife of Lahore, where repressed desires shake the foundations of rigid societal conventions.
Haider is actually the perfect househusband. While his wife Mumtaz is at work, he plays with nephews and nieces, cares for his elderly and bossy father, and even cooks for the extended family. But a man must earn money. And so Haider begins secretly performing as a backup dancer for the flamboyant trans performer Biba. Fascinated by her way of being, which is as prickly as it is sensual, he gradually loses himself in a life of night, dance and eroticism – leaving Mumtaz with the unwanted role of housewife. Can there be a balance for both of them between tradition, family and the longing for freedom?
Saim Sadiq’s debut feature dazzled the Cannes audience with its epic and freedom-loving social critique, its artfully crafted images that pulsate with vivid colors, and above all with its empathetic gaze.
Director
Saim Sadiq is a young Pakistani filmmaker who challenges the traditionalists in his homeland. This was already true of ›Darling‹, which earned him the award for Best Short Film in Venice in 2020. ›Joyland‹ is the first Pakistani film to be selected for the Cannes festival.