Controversial movie ‘Joyland’ has hit theatres in parts of Pakistan after authorities banned it earlier.
The movie got its green signal to be released countrywide back in August, however, the authorities banned the movie after receiving written complaints that Joyland contained ‘highly objectionable material’.
Directed by Saim Sadiq, the movie tells the love story between a youngster and a transgender starlet he meets after secretly joining an erotic dance theater.
Being an Islamic state, the storyline appeared too sensitive for the Pakistani government, which last week revoked the movie’s certification after receiving written complaints, however, two days ago the censor board review committee subsequently cleared the film, with the requested edits.
Read more: Punjab bans film ‘Joyland’ after federal govt gives it green signal
Less than 24 hours after the federal government decided to lift the ban on on Saim Sadiq’s film Joyland, the government of Punjab issued a notice to the film’s producer, saying that they cannot exhibit the film in the jurisdiction of Punjab province.
‘Joyland’ and achievements
It is the first Pakistani movie to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize and the unofficial Queer Palm in May.
Joyland has also been submitted to the Oscars as Pakistan’s official entry for the international feature film award.
