Watch trailer
This is an open captioned screening for the hard of hearing.
Winner of the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize and Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival, Saim Sadiq’s dazzling debut feature is a bittersweet tale of repressed desire and the quest for individual freedom. Unassuming Haider Rana, has a seemingly happy arranged marriage and an ordered family life, living under the same roof as the rest of the Rana clan and his strict patriarchal father. When Haider secretly becomes a backing dancer for an erotic dance cabaret and falls for glamourous trans starlet Biba, family ties begin to strain.
The Garden Cinema View:
Despite its sadness, Joyland is bold and life affirming and features an outstanding performance from trans lead Alina Khan. It is Pakistan's official 2023 Oscars entry, which was banned by the country's authorities. The Garden Cinema is proud to offer it to its audience.
"An aching consideration of gender and sexuality." - Lovia Gyarkye, Hollywood Reporter
"Sadiq’s screenplay navigates a complex web of secrets and lies, pressures and prejudices to create a soulful human drama intent on challenging narrow minds." - Allan Hunter, Screen International
Cast:
Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gilani