Saim Sadiq’s Joyland is a hit in theatres all over the world despite having some issues with its Pakistani distribution. The prestigious Sundance Film Festival will host the US debut of the Cannes winner, which has already earned over $1 million in France. Given how unstable the theatrical industry is right now, Joyland’s performance in France is reassuring.
The movie Joyland tells the tale of a man who was raised in a traditional, patriarchal family and who eventually falls in love with a transgender dancer he met in an erotic dance theatre. The journal referred to the movie as a “crowdpleaser” and a “boundary-breaker,” and it has received backing from a number of well-known people throughout the world, including actor Riz Ahmed and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, who are now the executive producers.
As per Variety, Joyland, distributed by Condor in France, broke all previous records at the box office for a Pakistani film in the country and for Sadiq, the achievement is “truly momentous.” He said, “To see our labour of love receiving the immense support and critical acclaim of the industry and then have that translated to global audiences across theatres around the world — it’s been an extraordinary journey I couldn’t have imagined. Having our film approach the $1 million mark in France is truly momentous!”
