News of Saim Sadiq’s Joyland receiving a letter from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting days ahead of its release to prevent it from releasing, does not come as a surprise. The film, despite getting clearance from all censor boards, might not see the light of day in the country of its origin, thanks to “written complaints” from people claiming it features indecent and immoral content. People, who may or may not have seen the film, suggested that the complainants have not been identified.
Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed on Saturday simply tweeted the letter initiated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcast that deemed the previously certified film ‘uncertified’. Now, Joyland’s director and Cannes winner, Saim, has responded to the ministry’s sudden intervention.
Shared on his Instagram, the statement reads: “We – as a team – are gutted by this development but fully intend to raise our voice against the grave injustice. I am compelled to point out that this sudden U-turn by the Pakistan Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is absolutely unconstitutional and illegal.”
He then recalled how Joyland was screened for and received approval from all censor boards, ahead of the announcement of its release. “Our film got screened and certified by all three censor boards in August 2022.” He further added that the ministry had gone against the constitution by asking provincial censor boards to follow its decision, suggested that the 18th amendment gives each province autonomy to make its own provincial calls.
“The 18th amendment in the Pakistani constitution gives all provinces the autonomy to make their own decision. Yet the ministry suddenly caved under pressure from a few extremist factions – and made a mockery of our federal censor board by rendering their decision irrelevant. In addition to that, this Ministry has also gone against the constitution by ordering all the other provincial censor boards (Sindh and Punjab) to follow its decision– an order which it has no constitutional right to give and one that I hope is disregarded by Sindh and Punjab censor boards.”
Saim went on to remind everyone that legally, “Joyland is still certified to release in Punjab and Sindh on November 18.”
He went on to thank everyone who’s raised their voice for Joyland. “The response that Joyland has received from every corner of the world is both humbling and energising. I am thankful for all the messages on mainstream and social media in support of the film and against this decision to hinder the film’s release in its home country, which shows that Pakistani audiences are sensible and don’t want to be dictated about which film they should or should not watch.”
He then reflected how a number of people have put in years and years of hard work and money into the film and their effort cannot go to waste because of a few “baseless rumours and complaints from individuals that have suddenly overridden the law and the system.”
Saim concluded by urging the ministry to give its decision a second thought. “Hence, as artists and filmmakers and citizens we must not sit back, and we must raise our voice collectively. I urge the Pakistani Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to please review this decision and return the right of our citizens to be able to watch the film that has made their country’s cinema’s proud world over.”
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