Joyland

A taboo-breaking, heart-breaking tale of desire that is strikingly set and shot in Lahore, Pakistan.

A patriarchal family yearn for the birth of a baby grandson to continue the family line, while their youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for an ambitious trans starlet. Their impossible love story begins to illuminates the entire family’s desire for a sexual rebellion.

“Tartly funny and plungingly sad in equal measure, this is nuanced, humane queer filmmaking, more concerned with the textures and particulars of its own intimate story than with grander social statements.” ~Guy Lodge, Variety

“Sadiq’s screenplay navigates a complex web of secrets and lies, pressures and prejudices to create a soulful human drama intent on challenging narrow minds.” ~Allan Hunter, Screen Daily