Joyland

Co-presented by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Climate & Equity (DICE) at Heinz College, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion at CMU, and Reel Q Film Festival

Co-sponsored by the Center for the Arts in Society at CMU, PRISM at CMU, the Department of History at CMU, SCREENSHOT: ASIA at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh

Directed by Saim Sadiq

Run Time: 126 mins
Released: Pakistan/2022
Language: Punjabi, Urdu

Masculinity, gender, and difference are at the heart of Saim Sadiq's Joyland, which depicts the relationship between a man and a trans woman. Joyland offers a view on the intersection of queerness and family in Pakistan, complicating what it means to love and live differently. The film does not shy away from the harsh realities of life. A disapproving father, a society that devalues women, and the demand for rigid expressions of gender and sexuality create a fertile ground for love to grow. How do we react when love challenges us?

"Pakistani writer-director Saim Sadiq’s confident, expressive debut feature is conscientiously fair to everyone in its Lahore-set domestic melodrama of secrets, lies and unforeseen self-discovery, but never feels like it’s hedging its bets or shying away from harder truths." – Variety

Event includes

Q&A and Discussion with director Saim Sadiq, actress Alina Khan, actor Ali Junejo, and actress Rasti Farooq

Moderated by Dr. Mehrub Moiz Awan, Activist & Performer
Pre-Screening Kathak Performance by Naina Roy

Followed by catered reception

Saim Sadiq

With an undergraduate degree in anthropology and a master's degree in film directing, Saim Sadiq’s work reflects his intellectual and artistic intersection. His first feature, Joyland has garnered numerous awards for best new director in festival circuits around the world. At Cannes Film Festival, Joyland won the Queer Palm and the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, cementing Sadiq's position as an up-and-coming new director.

Awards

Winner of Queer Palm, Cannes Film Festival
Winner of Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, Cannes Film Festival
Winner of Directors to Watch Award, Palm Springs International Film Festival
Winner of FIPRESCI Award, Palm Spring International Film Festival

Screening Soon!