The political scenario might divide us, but what unites us is art, music, and movies. Both countries have created magic in terms of movies, and Joyland, a recent film made in Pakistan, is gaining global acclaim.
Directed by Saim Sadiq, Joyland tackles a brave topic.
Joyland follows the story of Haider, the youngest son in the conservative Rana family in Lahore. He secretly joins an erotic dance theater where he meets and falls in love with Biba, a transgender woman. This relationship challenges societal norms and disrupts the family’s traditional values, revealing hidden desires and conflicts within the household.
The film stars Ali Junejo as Haider, Alina Khan as Biba, with Rasti Farooq, Sarwat Gilani, and Salman Peerzada. The cast delivers powerful performances, exploring love, tradition, and societal expectations.
The reception of the film has been quite good, even winning awards, which testifies to its excellence.
The visuals of the film are like a painting; even if you watch it on mute, it remains as beautiful as ever. The theme of the film is quite brave, especially for the Pakistani audience. With excellent writing, the film does a splendid job.
Where to stream it?
If you want to buy or rent it, you can do so on Apple TV or YouTube. For regular streaming, Mubi is the platform.