For our final screening of the semester, NTU Film Society will be screening Joyland (2022) dir. Saim Sadiq, a film which was briefly banned in Pakistan, that touches on everyday misogyny and transphobia in the inner city of Lahore, as well as the blossoming of a tender queer love story.
Synopsis: Following a long spell of unemployment, Haider lands a job at a Bollywood-style burlesque, telling his family he is a theater manager. In actuality, he is a backup dancer and becomes infatuated with a strong-willed trans woman, Biba.
✏️ Director Saim Sadiq’s bio:
Saim Sadiq is a Pakistani screenwriter and director who won the Jury Prize of the Un Certain Regard section at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival for directing the drama film Joyland, the first Pakistani film to be selected in Cannes. Joyland also won the Queer Palm award during its world premiere at Cannes.