The 2023 Un Certain Regard – Jury Prize winner from The Cannes Film Festival is Saim Sadiq’s stunning debut-feature JOYLAND. Saim talked with our Gadi Elkon about the film, the reaction and so much more!
The debut feature from writer-director Saim Sadiq, JOYLAND explores the many sides of love and desire in a patriarchal society. Gentle and timid, Haider (Ali Junejo) lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father, and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. Following a long spell of unemployment, Haider finally lands a job at a Bollywood-style burlesque, telling his family he is a theater manager, when in actuality, he is a backup dancer. The unusual position shakes up the steadfast traditional dynamics of his household and enables Haider to break out of his shell. As he acclimates to the new job, Haider becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman Biba (Alina Khan) who runs the show—an unforeseen partnership that opens his eyes and ultimately his worldview, in ways both unexpected and intimate.
Writer/Director Saim Sadiq talked with Gadi Elkon about his feature film debut, the motifs and imagery shown in the film and so much more!
Interview with Filmmaker Saim Sadiq:
Learn more about Joyland at http://joyland.oscilloscope.net.
In Theaters:
New York @ the Film Forum on April 7, 2023
Los Angeles @ the Landmark Nuart on April 21st, 2023
select theaters nationwide to follow.
