Pakistan's this year Oscar submission, Joyland's release certificate was revoked after Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed tweeted a letter initiated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcast that deemed the previously certified film ‘uncertified’.
The Saim Sadiq directorial's rather tabooed themes of trans love may just end up working against its Pakistan release. It is also pertinent to mention here that the film was certified for release by all the censor boards with minor objections and edits recommended for public screening.
Many Twitter users expressed anger and questioned the government for halting the release of the film. One shared, "Why was the censor board’s approval of Joyland, August 17, 2022, reversed a week before release? Why were complaints by people who haven’t seen the film accepted? Is violence in films approved by the censor in line with our 'moral standards'?"
1. Why was the censor board’s approval of JOYLAND 17 August 2022 reversed a week before release?
— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) November 12, 2022
2. Why were complaints by people who haven’t seen the film accepted?
3. Is violence in films approved by the censor in line with our “moral standards”?#ReleaseJoyland pic.twitter.com/Yw07yY5UUx
The tweep added, "Is it immoral to show Khwajasarra characters as humans with feelings and not as jokes or sex objects? Who is setting 'moral standards' for 220 million Pakistanis? Will Jamaat-e-Islami with its two seats make decisions for all of us? Where is the government's spine?"
4. Is it immoral to show Khwajasarra characters as humans with feelings & not as jokes or sex objects?
— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) November 12, 2022
5. Who is setting “moral standards” for 220 million Pakistanis?
6. Will Jamaat-e-Islami with its 2 seats make decisions for all of us?
7. Where’s govt’s spine?#ReleaseJoyland
Another shared, "I wanna watch the film which has received a standing ovation at every film festival in World! We deserve good stories and good cinema."
I wanna watch the film which has received a standing ovation at every film festival in World! We deserve good stories & good cinema #ReleaseJoyland pic.twitter.com/QLvmUk5uN5
— Aan Cheema (@aanasifcheema) November 12, 2022
One more user spoke about the relatability of the film and wrote, "Joyland is a film about a family that lives in Gawalmandi, Lahore. Our Lahore. It’s a film about human beings that exist around us in Pakistan. Our Pakistanis. It was filmed here - across real locations, with real people."
Joyland is a film about a family that lives in Gawalmandi, Lahore.
— Imran Ahmad Khan (@imranahmadkh) November 12, 2022
Our Lahore.
It’s a film about human beings that exist around us in Pakistan.
Our Pakistanis.
It was filmed here - across real locations, with real people.
He added, "Joyland won the Grand Jury prize at Cannes Film Festival - the world’s most prestigious film festival. It is Pakistan’s official submission to the Oscars and has won at London Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Cairo International Film Festival etc."
Joyland won the Grand Jury prize at Cannes Film Festival - the world’s most prestigious film festival.
— Imran Ahmad Khan (@imranahmadkh) November 12, 2022
It is Pakistan’s official submission to the Oscars and has won at London Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Cairo International Film Festival etc.
Concluding, the user shared, "Joyland is now facing a censor block - one week before it is supposed to release in Pakistan. Please stop this injustice. Let people live. Let them breathe."
Joyland is now facing a censor block - one week before it is supposed to release in Pakistan.
— Imran Ahmad Khan (@imranahmadkh) November 12, 2022
Please stop this injustice. Let people live. Let them breathe. #ReleaseJoyland
Another user added, "So basically the Censor Board read the title of the movie. Found the word 'Joy' problematic and decided to kill the joy, because let's be honest this is not a land of joy. Joy comes here to die."
So basically the Censor Board read the title of the movie. Found the word "Joy" problematic and decided to kill the joy, because let's be honest this is not a land of joy. Joy comes here to die. #ReleaseJoyLand https://t.co/1C3qr9k53U
— leena (@Leena_Ghani) November 12, 2022
One more Twitter user commented, "Joyland needs to be released for a week before Nov 30 deadline for it to be eligible for Oscars this year. This is/was our best shot and the censor board is jeopardising it by listening to hypocrites who haven’t even seen the film. There’s still time though."
Joyland needs to be released for a week before Nov 30 deadline for it to be eligible for Oscars this year. This is/was our best shot and the censor board is jeopardising it by listening to hypocrites who haven’t even seen the film.
— Usama Lali (@usamalali_) November 12, 2022
There’s still time though: #ReleaseJoyland
A user, while saying the film has nothing objectionable, wrote, "There is nothing objectionable about this wonderful movie, by banning Joyland Pakistan is sending the message to artists and storytellers don't make art that presents everyday Pakistanis as human. Then we wonder why we keep making sh*t cinema and TV."
There is nothing objectionable about this wonderful movie, by banning joyland Pakistan is sending the message to artists and story tellers don't make art that presents every day Pakistanis as human. Then we wonder why we keep making shit cinema and TV.#ReleaseJoyland https://t.co/XO67OLa8sa
— qudrat ki shmyla (@apniISPdot) November 12, 2022
One more added, "If an innocent film threatens your personal faith, then maybe your faith needs some work buddy." Another user penned, "An innocent, harmless, thought-provoking piece of art cannot endanger a centuries-old, organised religion or weaken the faith of its followers. Let people breathe, Land of the Pure."
If an innocent film threatens your personal faith, then maybe your faith needs some work buddy. #ReleaseJoyland https://t.co/4k6VS09jqU
— Gulraiz (@gulraizkhan) November 12, 2022
An innocent, harmless, thought-provoking piece of art cannot endanger a centuries-old, organized religion or weaken the faith of its followers. Let people breathe, Land of the Pure. #ReleaseJoyland #joyland
— Shallum David (@Shallum_OD) November 12, 2022
A tweep lamented, "Of course showing trans woman's humanity is censored. God forbid our censor board should approve anything that allows us to feel empathy for minority communities. If we don't enforce hate or enact violence towards the already vulnerable, are we even Pakistani anymore?"
of course showing trans womans humanity is censored. god forbid our censor board should approve anything that allows us to feel empathy for minority communities.if we dont enforce hate or enact violence towards the already vulnerable,are we even pakistani anymore? #releasejoyland
— Mehar (@curlistani) November 12, 2022
Joyland features a daring portrait of a transgender dancer in a Muslim country that first made headlines when it won the Cannes Queer Palm prize for best LGBT, queer or feminist-themed movie. Sadiq's directorial, a tale of the sexual revolution, tells the story of the youngest son in a patriarchal family who is expected to produce a baby boy with his wife. He instead joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for the troupe's director, a trans woman.
Written and directed by Sadiq, and produced by Apoorva Guru Charan, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat and Lauren Mann, Joyland features Ali Junejo, Farooq, Khan, Gillani, Salman Peerzada, Sohail Sameer and Sania Saeed.
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