Pakistan Bans Oscars Submission ‘Joyland’ For ‘Objectionable Material’; Director Saim Sadiq And Filmmaking Team To Appeal Decision
deadline.comPakistan’s Ministry Of Information and Broadcasting has banned Saim Sadiq’s Joyland, the film that Pakistan submitted to the Best International Feature category of the Oscars, reversing an earlier decision to clear the film for theatrical release.
Sadiq and the team behind the film are appealing the ban, which they describe as a “sudden U-turn” and “absolutely unconstitional and illegal”. “Our film got seen and certified by all three censor boards in August 2022,” Sadiq said in an Instagram post. “The 18 amendment in the Pakistani constitution gives all provinces the autonomy to make their own decision.
Yet the Ministry suddenly caved under pressure from a few extremist factions, who have not seen the film.” The film, which won the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize when it premiered at this year’s Cannes film festival, revolves around a Pakistani family whose youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and fall in love with a trans woman.
On Friday, a Pakistani fashion designer shared a series of Instagram stories about the film, saying it contravened the social values of Islam and Pakistan.
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