Beautifully made film: Indians praise 'Joyland' after screening across the border
Earlier this week, Pakistan's most contentious acclaim, Joyland, had its first-ever premiere in Delhi, India, at the Habitat International Film Festival. Impressed by the film, since then, countless Indian users have expressed their love and appreciation for the Saim Sadiq directorial on Twitter.
"Pakistanis themselves are not realising what a masterpiece your country has created. Woah, I would have been way too proud and happy if Joyland was an Indian movie!" wrote one individual on the microblogging website.
"Last night's screening of Joyland in Delhi was magical. People waiting in lines for a Pakistani film that so lyrically talks about patriarchy and the loneliness it breeds. People were sitting on the floor in awe, clapping and crying in unison. Through grief and borders, art finds a way," detailed a tweet.
Another user also called the premiere a "magical experience," adding that people "still can't get over" watching Joyland on the big screen. "I've never seen the crowd get this hyped, laugh and cry together for a movie before," explained the Twitter user.
Soon, more people chimed in to elaborate on their experience of watching Joyland. "All the hugs to Delhi folks who watched Joyland yesterday. It remains a film that broke me and filled me with so much love, joy, and grief," said one tweep. "Joyland is a fantastic, heartbreaking, and beautifully made film," expressed another individual.
Some users, however, took their chance and pointed out how Joyland is receiving massive praise in India, while its own people have dismissed it. "While Joyland is getting appreciation in India, it's getting banned in Pakistan by the government," commented a tweep, while another said, "Joyland getting praised across the border, but people in Lahore are still deprived of good cinema because of the petty ego of a few men."
Twitterati also questioned why The Legend of Maula Jatt wasn't premiered in India. "Why Joyland is screened in India but not Maula Jatt?" asked one curious individual.
Joyland, starring Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, and Sarwat Gilani, was also said to have a theatrical release in India, as per Press Trust of India (PTI). The worldwide release dates of the Saim Sadiq directorial were shared on the film's official Instagram handle. Previously, it was reported that Joyland was set for a March 10 theatrical release across the border. However, no update has been announced on that front.
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