Joyland by Saim Sadiq, Pakistani candidate for the Oscar's best international film, was released in the country on Friday, November 18, but in a censored version and with deleted scenes, in two districts out of three (those of Karachi and Islamabad, but not that of Lahore where it was filmed). Earlier this week, the federal authorities withdrew his national exit visa, granted a few months earlier.
The qualification of the film for the Oscars was therefore threatened, since the regulations require a commercial release in a territory for at least 7 days, before the closing of applications at the end of November. It was notably awarded at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received the "Un Certain Regard" jury prize and the "Queer Palm."
Early commercial release in France
In France, "in support of the film and to counter this injustice," its distributor, Condor, has decided to organize an early commercial release from November 22, to allow the film to "preserve its chances in the race for the Oscars." The director will also be in France from November 24 to December 2, notably for a session at the Chéries-Chéris festival where his film is in competition. The national release in France is scheduled for December 28.
This first film tells the story of Haider (Ali Junejo), the youngest son of a family living under the authority of the patriarch. He finds a job as a dancer in a cabaret of transgender artists, and falls in love with one of them, Biba.