Cyprus Film Days 2023|Joyland

Synopsis
Gentle and timid Haider lives with his wife, Mumtaz, his father, and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. Following a long spell of unemployment, Haider finally lands a job at a Bollywood-style burlesque, telling his family he is a theatre manager, when in reality, he is a backup dancer. The unusual position shakes up the steadfast traditional dynamics of his household and enables Haider to break out of his shell. As he acclimates to the new job, Haider becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman Biba who runs the show—an unforeseen partnership that opens his eyes and ultimately his worldview, in ways both unexpected and intimate.

Biography
Saim Sadiq is a Pakistani filmmaker whose film Joyland is the first Pakistani feature to premiere at the 75th Cannes Film Festival’s ‘Un Certain Regard’. His short film Darling was the first Pakistani film to premiere at the 76th Venice Film Festival, where it won the Orrizonti Prize for Best Short Film. His previous short film Nice Talking to You was an official selection at South by Southwest 2019, Palm Springs International Shortsfest 2019, made the BAFTA Shortlist for Best Student Film, and won Vimeo’s Best Director award at Columbia University Film Festival 2018. He is currently writing the film adaptation of New York Times’ bestseller Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Sadiq received his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Lahore University of Management Sciences and his MFA in Film Directing from Columbia University.

126', 2022 | Pakistan

Directed by Saim Sadiq
Screenplay Saim Sadiq, Maggie Briggs
Cinematography Joe Saade
Editing Saim Sadiq, Jasmin Tenucci
Cast Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gilani, Sohail Sameer, Salmaan Peerzada, Sania Saeed
Producers Apoorva Guru Charan, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, Sabiha Sumar, Lauren Mann
Co-producers Sana Jafri, Jamila Wenske

Filmography
2022 Joyland

Selected Awards
Queer Palm & Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, Cannes Film Festival, France, 2022.
Directors to Watch Award & FIPRESCI Prize for Best Actor, Palm Springs International Film Festival, USA, 2022.
Special Jury Award, Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Brazil, 2022.
Young Cinema Award, Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Australia, 2022.
Audience Award, Valladolid International Film Festival, Spain, 2022.
Special Jury Prize for Best Ensemble, Bangkok World Film Festival, Thailand, 2022.

Tickets: €5