The 15th anniversary edition of the London Indian Film Festival will open on June 26 with the European Premiere of U.S. indie, tear-jerker drama “Paper Flowers,” directed by Mahesh Pailoor (“Brahmin Bulls”), starring “Deadpool’s” Karan Soni. It will close on July 3 with a screening of ultra-violent Indian actioner “Kill,” which is produced by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga and which represents Lionsgate’s first foray into South Asian film production.
In between, the festival will operate across five additional cities and thematically extend itself across feature film, TV series, short films, Xr and gaming.
“It’s been an incredible journey marking 15 years this year and we are delighted to expand into new U.K. cities, welcoming Bradford and Liverpool into our 6-city reach. It’s also personally exciting to have such a talented team and innovative partners, as we push ahead to explore new frontiers of South Asian gaming...
In between, the festival will operate across five additional cities and thematically extend itself across feature film, TV series, short films, Xr and gaming.
“It’s been an incredible journey marking 15 years this year and we are delighted to expand into new U.K. cities, welcoming Bradford and Liverpool into our 6-city reach. It’s also personally exciting to have such a talented team and innovative partners, as we push ahead to explore new frontiers of South Asian gaming...
- 5/29/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
After the well-received “Joyland” in 2022 and “In Flames” last year, Pakistan is debuting a central hub at the Cannes Film Festival this year.
The Pakistan Crescent Collective, set up by Modoxy Media, will represent the country’s official presence at the festival, with a mission to “discover and nurture the next generation of talent, preserve film, and
promote Pakistani and diaspora films globally, thereby advancing Pakistan’s visual culture.” The collective consists of a global team of film industry professionals based in London, Karachi, New York and Los Angeles.
Saim Sadiq’s “Joyland” won the Un Certain Regard jury prize in 2022, while Zarrar Kahn’s “In Flames” was a Directors’ Fortnight selection. Both films were Pakistan’s official submissions to the Academy Awards. Usman Riaz’s animated film “The Glassworker,” which is selected at Annecy, is an homage to films in the style of this year’s honorary Palme d’Or winner Studio Ghibli.
The Pakistan Crescent Collective, set up by Modoxy Media, will represent the country’s official presence at the festival, with a mission to “discover and nurture the next generation of talent, preserve film, and
promote Pakistani and diaspora films globally, thereby advancing Pakistan’s visual culture.” The collective consists of a global team of film industry professionals based in London, Karachi, New York and Los Angeles.
Saim Sadiq’s “Joyland” won the Un Certain Regard jury prize in 2022, while Zarrar Kahn’s “In Flames” was a Directors’ Fortnight selection. Both films were Pakistan’s official submissions to the Academy Awards. Usman Riaz’s animated film “The Glassworker,” which is selected at Annecy, is an homage to films in the style of this year’s honorary Palme d’Or winner Studio Ghibli.
- 5/10/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Sundance announced its winners on Friday morning, with Alessandra Lacorazza’s In The Summers took the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and Brendan Bellomo’s Porcelain War the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary.
Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s A New Kind Of Wilderness won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary, while Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez earned the corresponding world cinema dramatic prize for Sujo.
The pair collaborated as writers on the 2020 World Cinema – Dramatic prize winner Identifying Features directed by Valadez.
The Festival Favorite Award went to Daughters by Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, whose film also...
Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s A New Kind Of Wilderness won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary, while Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez earned the corresponding world cinema dramatic prize for Sujo.
The pair collaborated as writers on the 2020 World Cinema – Dramatic prize winner Identifying Features directed by Valadez.
The Festival Favorite Award went to Daughters by Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, whose film also...
- 1/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
Cat Person (Susanna Fogel)
The talk of the internet in late 2017, Kristen Roupenian’s New Yorker story about a date gone horribly awry lit a short-lived fire of discourse surrounding gender and power dynamics. About five years later does the big-screen adaptation arrive, and while it expands details of the original text in a few compelling ways, its new third-act addition calamitously renders the whole experience a pointless, heavy-handed, misjudged exercise that relies heavier on horror tropes than any sense of humanity. – Jordan R. (full review)
Where to Stream: VOD
The Holdovers (Alexander Payne)
This film, in the best possible way, is a time machine. Comfortable, bittersweet, and very funny, it captures a moment that is nostalgic without the syrup. Paul Hunham...
Cat Person (Susanna Fogel)
The talk of the internet in late 2017, Kristen Roupenian’s New Yorker story about a date gone horribly awry lit a short-lived fire of discourse surrounding gender and power dynamics. About five years later does the big-screen adaptation arrive, and while it expands details of the original text in a few compelling ways, its new third-act addition calamitously renders the whole experience a pointless, heavy-handed, misjudged exercise that relies heavier on horror tropes than any sense of humanity. – Jordan R. (full review)
Where to Stream: VOD
The Holdovers (Alexander Payne)
This film, in the best possible way, is a time machine. Comfortable, bittersweet, and very funny, it captures a moment that is nostalgic without the syrup. Paul Hunham...
- 12/29/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Exclusive: Ahead of the 33rd annual Gotham Awards Ceremony, taking place live and in person on Monday, November 27, 2023 in New York City, The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced the winners of its fifth annual Focus Features & JetBlue Student Short Film Showcase.
The five winning filmmakers include:
Kevin Haefelin,
Xinying Lao
Sisa Quispe
James Ross
Mel Sangyi Zhao.
With the critical support of returning partners JetBlue and Focus Features as well as Soho House, The Gotham aims to discover and empower a diverse group of emerging filmmakers as well as foster multi-platform distribution of their work through the annual program.
“With both extraordinary talent and vision, these students...
The five winning filmmakers include:
Kevin Haefelin,
Xinying Lao
Sisa Quispe
James Ross
Mel Sangyi Zhao.
With the critical support of returning partners JetBlue and Focus Features as well as Soho House, The Gotham aims to discover and empower a diverse group of emerging filmmakers as well as foster multi-platform distribution of their work through the annual program.
“With both extraordinary talent and vision, these students...
- 11/16/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.
Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...
Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...
- 10/30/2023
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Film Independent has set seven filmmakers for the 2023 edition of its Producing Lab, an intensive program designed to help creative, independent producers develop their skills and further their careers. The list includes Camila Grimaldi & Farah Jabir (AmeriGirl), Rob Cristiano (Gone by Morning), Daniel Tantalean (In the Summers), Valeria Contreras (Not My Name), Annalisa Shoemaker (Obsolete), and Fiona Hardingham (Smoke Country).
Film Independent looks to bolster its Fellows by introducing them to film professionals who can advise them on both the craft and business of independent producing. Each is paired with a Creative Advisor, with whom they’ll look to develop a project over the course of the program. Rebecca Green will serve as lead creative advisor for this year’s program, which will also feature an expansive roster of guest speakers: Jason Michael Berman, Apoorva Charan, Marissa Frobes, Nate Kamiya, Kristen Konvitz, Stephen Lee, Alex Lo, Lauren Mann, Jack Pearkes,...
Film Independent looks to bolster its Fellows by introducing them to film professionals who can advise them on both the craft and business of independent producing. Each is paired with a Creative Advisor, with whom they’ll look to develop a project over the course of the program. Rebecca Green will serve as lead creative advisor for this year’s program, which will also feature an expansive roster of guest speakers: Jason Michael Berman, Apoorva Charan, Marissa Frobes, Nate Kamiya, Kristen Konvitz, Stephen Lee, Alex Lo, Lauren Mann, Jack Pearkes,...
- 10/11/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Location, Location, Location
Entertainment, sports and brand licensing firms WildBrain Cplg and WildBrain Ltd. have brokered location-based entertainment (Lbe) deals on behalf of Peanuts Worldwide for “Peanuts,” “Teletubbies” and “In the Night Garden” with China’s Max-Matching Entertainments. These are expected to lead to the opening of family entertainment centers and IP-themed hotel rooms for each brand in Beijing, in Zhongshan City, Guangdong and a third city yet to be announced. These will roll out over the next five years.
The moves come at a time when WildBrain Cplg is expanding its Asia-focused teams. These include the Los Angeles-based veteran licensing executive, Kevin Suh who is former president of themed entertainment & consumer products at Paramount Pictures. Suh was also a senior executive at the Motion Picture Association of America and a lawyer in California. Shanghai-based Evi Sari joins as VP of Lbe in Apac and the Gcc. She was previously...
Entertainment, sports and brand licensing firms WildBrain Cplg and WildBrain Ltd. have brokered location-based entertainment (Lbe) deals on behalf of Peanuts Worldwide for “Peanuts,” “Teletubbies” and “In the Night Garden” with China’s Max-Matching Entertainments. These are expected to lead to the opening of family entertainment centers and IP-themed hotel rooms for each brand in Beijing, in Zhongshan City, Guangdong and a third city yet to be announced. These will roll out over the next five years.
The moves come at a time when WildBrain Cplg is expanding its Asia-focused teams. These include the Los Angeles-based veteran licensing executive, Kevin Suh who is former president of themed entertainment & consumer products at Paramount Pictures. Suh was also a senior executive at the Motion Picture Association of America and a lawyer in California. Shanghai-based Evi Sari joins as VP of Lbe in Apac and the Gcc. She was previously...
- 9/7/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Toronto — Today, the Toronto International Film Festival® announced this year’s Short Cuts lineup, supported by Ontario Arts Council, showcasing 42 live action narrative, documentary, and animated shorts by a groundbreaking group of filmmakers representing 23 countries. More than half of this year’s selections are directed or co-directed by female and female-identifying filmmakers. TIFF alumni directors with new films at Short Cuts include Yann Demange, Jasmin Mozaffari, Miryam Charles, Farnoosh Samadi, Halima Ouardiri, Renee Zhan, Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto, and the team of Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan. Among the directors with short films at the Festival for the first time are Malia Ann and Canadian actor Mackenzie Davis. Among the notable performers in this year’s slate of new shorts are Riz Ahmed (Dammi) and Kaniehtiio Horn (Redlights).
A robust selection of new animated short films will be showcased in the programme this year. Animated films in Short Cuts include the...
A robust selection of new animated short films will be showcased in the programme this year. Animated films in Short Cuts include the...
- 8/9/2023
- by Movies Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
Toronto — Today, the Toronto International Film Festival® announced this year’s Short Cuts lineup, supported by Ontario Arts Council, showcasing 42 live action narrative, documentary, and animated shorts by a groundbreaking group of filmmakers representing 23 countries. More than half of this year’s selections are directed or co-directed by female and female-identifying filmmakers. TIFF alumni directors with new films at Short Cuts include Yann Demange, Jasmin Mozaffari, Miryam Charles, Farnoosh Samadi, Halima Ouardiri, Renee Zhan, Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto, and the team of Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan. Among the directors with short films at the Festival for the first time are Malia Ann and Canadian actor Mackenzie Davis. Among the notable performers in this year’s slate of new shorts are Riz Ahmed (Dammi) and Kaniehtiio Horn (Redlights).
A robust selection of new animated short films will be showcased in the programme this year. Animated films in Short Cuts include the...
A robust selection of new animated short films will be showcased in the programme this year. Animated films in Short Cuts include the...
- 8/9/2023
- by Movies Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
The Toronto International Film Festival unveiled its Short Cuts showcase counting 42 live action narrative, documentary, and animated shorts from global filmmakers repping 23 countries.
That’s comprised of 21 World Premieres, 13 North American Premieres, and five International Premieres presented in 19 different languages.
More than half of this year’s selections are directed or co-directed by female and female-identifying filmmakers. TIFF alumni directors with new films at Short Cuts include Yann Demange (White Boy Rick), Jasmin Mozaffari, Miryam Charles, Farnoosh Samadi, Halima Ouardiri, Renee Zhan, Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto, and the team of Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan. Among the directors with short films at the Festival for the first time are Malia Ann and Canadian actor Mackenzie Davis. Among the notable performers in this year’s slate of new shorts are Riz Ahmed in Dammi and Kaniehtiio Horn in Redlights.
Animated films in Short Cuts include the...
That’s comprised of 21 World Premieres, 13 North American Premieres, and five International Premieres presented in 19 different languages.
More than half of this year’s selections are directed or co-directed by female and female-identifying filmmakers. TIFF alumni directors with new films at Short Cuts include Yann Demange (White Boy Rick), Jasmin Mozaffari, Miryam Charles, Farnoosh Samadi, Halima Ouardiri, Renee Zhan, Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto, and the team of Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan. Among the directors with short films at the Festival for the first time are Malia Ann and Canadian actor Mackenzie Davis. Among the notable performers in this year’s slate of new shorts are Riz Ahmed in Dammi and Kaniehtiio Horn in Redlights.
Animated films in Short Cuts include the...
- 8/9/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
Asteroid City (Wes Anderson)
Wes Anderson has done it all: India by train, Rhode Island by foot, the Mediterranean by sub, France by bike, faux-Germany by hotel, apple-orchard America by fox, animated Japan by dog, motel Texas by friends, New York City by family. But––despite the feeling that this couldn’t possibly be true––he’s never told a story in western America. In setting he hasn’t gone further west than Houston. Until Asteroid City: Arizona desert by quarantine. – Luke H. (full review)
Where to Stream: VOD
Chile ’76 (Manuela Martelli)
Manuela Martelli’s debut film opens with a sequence that perfectly captures the tone and themes Chile ‘76 will explore. Carmen (played by Aline Kuppenheim) is at a paint shop,...
Asteroid City (Wes Anderson)
Wes Anderson has done it all: India by train, Rhode Island by foot, the Mediterranean by sub, France by bike, faux-Germany by hotel, apple-orchard America by fox, animated Japan by dog, motel Texas by friends, New York City by family. But––despite the feeling that this couldn’t possibly be true––he’s never told a story in western America. In setting he hasn’t gone further west than Houston. Until Asteroid City: Arizona desert by quarantine. – Luke H. (full review)
Where to Stream: VOD
Chile ’76 (Manuela Martelli)
Manuela Martelli’s debut film opens with a sequence that perfectly captures the tone and themes Chile ‘76 will explore. Carmen (played by Aline Kuppenheim) is at a paint shop,...
- 7/14/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
(Welcome to Under the Radar, a column where we spotlight specific movies, shows, trends, performances, or scenes that caught our eye and deserved more attention ... but otherwise flew under the radar. In this edition: Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi's latest "No Bears" is another personal triumph, "Joyland" tackles painfully relatable South Asian shortcomings, and "Sisu" puts the hurt on some deeply unlucky Nazis.)
Goodbye April, hello May, and welcome to the unofficial start of the summer movie season. If it seems like the yearly schedule for big-screen releases is weirdly compressed, well, that's because it is. We essentially go from the doldrums of the early winter months of the year to a blockbuster-heavy "summer" slate that extends from May all the way to September or even October, before pivoting right back to awards season mayhem. Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend is the point at which it feels a little more socially...
Goodbye April, hello May, and welcome to the unofficial start of the summer movie season. If it seems like the yearly schedule for big-screen releases is weirdly compressed, well, that's because it is. We essentially go from the doldrums of the early winter months of the year to a blockbuster-heavy "summer" slate that extends from May all the way to September or even October, before pivoting right back to awards season mayhem. Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend is the point at which it feels a little more socially...
- 5/4/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
The first ever Pakistani film selected to screen in Cannes draws its title from the eponymous amusement park in Lahore, a place that offers refuge to people who seek acceptance, or brief moments of joy.
“Joyland” is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase
Saim Sadiq returns to the topic of sexual identity and patriarchal structures that strongly dominate his homeland, and to the milieu of the erotic dance theatre he has already explored in his wonderfully accomplished short “Darling”, which won the Orizzonti Competition in Venice 2019. Starring Ali Junejo as Haider, a young man living according to tradition, dancing to the tunes of his father and his hoarse older brother Saleem (Sohail Sameer), “Joyland” speaks of repressed desires of both sexes, strongly divided gender roles, and a never ending chain of compromises someone who doesn't fit into such image has to make.
Haider lives in an arranged...
“Joyland” is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase
Saim Sadiq returns to the topic of sexual identity and patriarchal structures that strongly dominate his homeland, and to the milieu of the erotic dance theatre he has already explored in his wonderfully accomplished short “Darling”, which won the Orizzonti Competition in Venice 2019. Starring Ali Junejo as Haider, a young man living according to tradition, dancing to the tunes of his father and his hoarse older brother Saleem (Sohail Sameer), “Joyland” speaks of repressed desires of both sexes, strongly divided gender roles, and a never ending chain of compromises someone who doesn't fit into such image has to make.
Haider lives in an arranged...
- 4/21/2023
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
Oscilloscope Laboratories’ Cannes Jury Prize Winner and Independent Spirit international film winner Joyland led New York’s Film Forum to one of its biggest opening weekends for a foreign language film in nearly a decade, taking in north of $21k on one screen, the distributor said. Buoyed by strong reviews and strategic marketing, the film by Saim Sadiq sold out nine showtimes, with the theater adding additional shows.
The first Pakistani film to officially compete at Cannes it screened in Un Certain Regard winning the Jury Prize then playing at TIFF, Sundance and New Directors/New Films. It is still banned in much of Pakistan due to themes of queerness and inclusiveness. Expands to LA on April 21, then to top 50 markets and beyond.
It was a decent weekend for specialty and arthouse fare with some solid openings amid lots of competition, including from wide-release adult fare like Air. That relatively speaking,...
The first Pakistani film to officially compete at Cannes it screened in Un Certain Regard winning the Jury Prize then playing at TIFF, Sundance and New Directors/New Films. It is still banned in much of Pakistan due to themes of queerness and inclusiveness. Expands to LA on April 21, then to top 50 markets and beyond.
It was a decent weekend for specialty and arthouse fare with some solid openings amid lots of competition, including from wide-release adult fare like Air. That relatively speaking,...
- 4/9/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Native Angeleno April Shih is not only a TV writer for “Dave” and WGA Award winner for “Mrs. America” — she is now on location with Season 5 of “Fargo” — but she’s an avid poker player.
You can tell that by the way she is willing to take on risk. After tiring of making shorts, she put in two years earning no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em poker money in Las Vegas. Her poker pilot script launched her lucrative writing career, thanks in part to Jen Goyne Blake, who selected that script at the 2017 Sundance Episodic Lab, which Blake ran for six years.
The two women are inspired by a new way of producing projects that combines the Duplass’ brothers’ DIY aesthetic and the mentoring wisdom of Sundance workshops. As Shih was closing an overall deal for Diversity Hire at FX and Hulu, she brought in Blake and expanded the company’s footprint to include producing,...
You can tell that by the way she is willing to take on risk. After tiring of making shorts, she put in two years earning no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em poker money in Las Vegas. Her poker pilot script launched her lucrative writing career, thanks in part to Jen Goyne Blake, who selected that script at the 2017 Sundance Episodic Lab, which Blake ran for six years.
The two women are inspired by a new way of producing projects that combines the Duplass’ brothers’ DIY aesthetic and the mentoring wisdom of Sundance workshops. As Shih was closing an overall deal for Diversity Hire at FX and Hulu, she brought in Blake and expanded the company’s footprint to include producing,...
- 4/7/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Owen Wilson is back, with brushes, as the longtime host of a beloved but fading Burlington, Vermont-based PBS instructional art show. Paint from IFC Films opens Friday on 800-plus screens.
Public television is always ripe for parody and happens to be a world Wilson knows. His father Robert Wilson helped launch, and ran, Dallas PBS station Kera. (He also introduced Monty Python’s Flying Circus to public television.)
Paint director Brit McAdams tells Deadline said that his own after-school TV ritual, General Hospital, would often segue into PBS host Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting. Ross is a loose inspiration for Wilson’s character, Carl Nargle, in the look at least, from permed hair, denim-on-denim wardrobe and dulcet tones that impressed McAdams and a global fan base.
“I’d be like, ‘Who is this guy?’ And then he’d paint something brown that would turn into a branch, and then a tree,...
Public television is always ripe for parody and happens to be a world Wilson knows. His father Robert Wilson helped launch, and ran, Dallas PBS station Kera. (He also introduced Monty Python’s Flying Circus to public television.)
Paint director Brit McAdams tells Deadline said that his own after-school TV ritual, General Hospital, would often segue into PBS host Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting. Ross is a loose inspiration for Wilson’s character, Carl Nargle, in the look at least, from permed hair, denim-on-denim wardrobe and dulcet tones that impressed McAdams and a global fan base.
“I’d be like, ‘Who is this guy?’ And then he’d paint something brown that would turn into a branch, and then a tree,...
- 4/7/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Editors note: This review was originally published May 23 after its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The film opens in New York on Friday and in Los Angeles on April 21.
A married man falls for a trans woman in Joyland, the first Pakistani feature to play in Cannes. Saim Sadiq’s atmospheric Un Certain Regard drama also explores a whole family, presenting a picture of a clan torn between modernity and tradition in contemporary Lahore.
Haider (Ali Junejo) has a seemingly happy arranged marriage with Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq). But when he gains work as a backing dancer for the glamorous trans performer Biba (Alina Khan), his eyes are opened to another way of life — and potentially another way of loving. Meanwhile, his wife is frustrated with the expectations of the patriarchal society she lives in, and much less enthusiastic about the prospect of bringing another boy into the family.
The Joyland of the title is an amusement park which provides an escape for many of the group, whether dancing with a troupe or screaming out their pain on a fairground ride.
Haider makes for a quietly compelling lead: a man oppressed by his father’s conventional expectations, and more sensitive than he dare admit. His wife is a tragic figure: a smart woman who deserves more than her lot. But the most distinctive character is Biba, the pre-op trans woman who makes a living with exotic dancing — sometimes in front of a large, relatively mainstream audience, other times for a small crew of lewd, sexually aggressive men.
The relationship between Haider and Biba is riveting — we’re never quite sure how far it will go, or what drives Haider. There’s a suggestion that he may be attracted to men, which infuriates Biba, who identifies as female. And yet there is a tangible tenderness between these two lost souls, both living lives they haven’t signed up for. That Biba has made the brave move to change her gender implicitly emboldens Haider to live more honestly according to his own sexuality. But this may come at a cost.
Joyland has a vivid sense of place, created not so much by its geographical backdrop as its characters. There’s an attention to detail in the rituals of daily life, whether it’s family celebrations or the rehearsals of the dance group. Mostly restrained emotionally, this packs an unexpected gut punch towards the end of the film, where it shifts focus to a deserving subject and drops another key character.
Presumably that’s meant to reflect the perspective of the protagonist, though it does leave some stories up in the air. But Joyland remains a thoughtful, well performed and engrossing drama set in a culture that’s shifting, and not always with ease.
Title: Joyland
Studio: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Release date: April 7, 2023 (NY)/April 21 (L.A.)
Director-screenwriter: Saim Sadiq
Cast: Ali Junejo Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gilani, Sohail Sameer, Salmaan Peerzada, Sania Saeed
Running time: 2 hr 7 mins...
A married man falls for a trans woman in Joyland, the first Pakistani feature to play in Cannes. Saim Sadiq’s atmospheric Un Certain Regard drama also explores a whole family, presenting a picture of a clan torn between modernity and tradition in contemporary Lahore.
Haider (Ali Junejo) has a seemingly happy arranged marriage with Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq). But when he gains work as a backing dancer for the glamorous trans performer Biba (Alina Khan), his eyes are opened to another way of life — and potentially another way of loving. Meanwhile, his wife is frustrated with the expectations of the patriarchal society she lives in, and much less enthusiastic about the prospect of bringing another boy into the family.
The Joyland of the title is an amusement park which provides an escape for many of the group, whether dancing with a troupe or screaming out their pain on a fairground ride.
Haider makes for a quietly compelling lead: a man oppressed by his father’s conventional expectations, and more sensitive than he dare admit. His wife is a tragic figure: a smart woman who deserves more than her lot. But the most distinctive character is Biba, the pre-op trans woman who makes a living with exotic dancing — sometimes in front of a large, relatively mainstream audience, other times for a small crew of lewd, sexually aggressive men.
The relationship between Haider and Biba is riveting — we’re never quite sure how far it will go, or what drives Haider. There’s a suggestion that he may be attracted to men, which infuriates Biba, who identifies as female. And yet there is a tangible tenderness between these two lost souls, both living lives they haven’t signed up for. That Biba has made the brave move to change her gender implicitly emboldens Haider to live more honestly according to his own sexuality. But this may come at a cost.
Joyland has a vivid sense of place, created not so much by its geographical backdrop as its characters. There’s an attention to detail in the rituals of daily life, whether it’s family celebrations or the rehearsals of the dance group. Mostly restrained emotionally, this packs an unexpected gut punch towards the end of the film, where it shifts focus to a deserving subject and drops another key character.
Presumably that’s meant to reflect the perspective of the protagonist, though it does leave some stories up in the air. But Joyland remains a thoughtful, well performed and engrossing drama set in a culture that’s shifting, and not always with ease.
Title: Joyland
Studio: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Release date: April 7, 2023 (NY)/April 21 (L.A.)
Director-screenwriter: Saim Sadiq
Cast: Ali Junejo Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gilani, Sohail Sameer, Salmaan Peerzada, Sania Saeed
Running time: 2 hr 7 mins...
- 4/7/2023
- by Anna Smith
- Deadline Film + TV
Winner of the Queer Palm at Cannes last year, writer-director Saim Sadiq’s feature debut Joyland depicts a blooming love between closeted married man Haider (Ali Junejo) and Biba (Alina Khan), a trans erotic performer who employs Haider as one of her (heretofore untrained) back-up dancers. The film chronicles the ever-shifting dynamics between Biba, Haider, his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq) and their intensely patriarchal immediate family. A ban on the film in Sadiq’s native Pakistan occurred due to Joyland‘s queer explorations. In a public statement, a right-wing government pundit stated that the film was “against Pakistani values,” adding that “glamorizing transgenders […]
The post “A Fear of the Freedom That You Thought You Wanted”: Saim Sadiq on Joyland first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “A Fear of the Freedom That You Thought You Wanted”: Saim Sadiq on Joyland first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 4/6/2023
- by Natalia Keogan
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Winner of the Queer Palm at Cannes last year, writer-director Saim Sadiq’s feature debut Joyland depicts a blooming love between closeted married man Haider (Ali Junejo) and Biba (Alina Khan), a trans erotic performer who employs Haider as one of her (heretofore untrained) back-up dancers. The film chronicles the ever-shifting dynamics between Biba, Haider, his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq) and their intensely patriarchal immediate family. A ban on the film in Sadiq’s native Pakistan occurred due to Joyland‘s queer explorations. In a public statement, a right-wing government pundit stated that the film was “against Pakistani values,” adding that “glamorizing transgenders […]
The post “A Fear of the Freedom That You Thought You Wanted”: Saim Sadiq on Joyland first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “A Fear of the Freedom That You Thought You Wanted”: Saim Sadiq on Joyland first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 4/6/2023
- by Natalia Keogan
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Last year’s Un Certain Regard was a vintage year. A trio of films in Return to Seoul, Corsage and Godland could have easily been selected in competition for the Palme. The section gave us the Camera d’Or winner in Riley Keough and Gina Gammell’s War Pony. There were small gems in Saim Sadiq’s Joyland and Alexandru Belc’s Metronom while the big winner (Les Pires) with plenty of heart launched the film careers for Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret. The quality level could be just as solid this year. With the Cannes Premiere section hogging screening times at the Debussy, we don’t see an increase from a 20 film line-up.…...
- 3/23/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Here’s the latest episode of the The Filmmakers Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on the official podcast site, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.
For those unfamiliar with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro budget indie films to bigger budget studio films and everything in-between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their film making experiences from directors, writers, producers, screenwriters, actors, cinematographers and distributors.
The Filmmaker’s Podcast #329: Making award-winning indie ‘Joyland’ with director and writer...
For those unfamiliar with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro budget indie films to bigger budget studio films and everything in-between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their film making experiences from directors, writers, producers, screenwriters, actors, cinematographers and distributors.
The Filmmaker’s Podcast #329: Making award-winning indie ‘Joyland’ with director and writer...
- 3/14/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The widely acclaimed film Joyland, the first Pakistani feature to premiere at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in Un Certain Regard, has just won the Best International Film award at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Starring Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gilani, Sohail Sameer, Salmaan Peerzada,
and Sania Saeed will soon be released in U.S. theaters beginning with New York on April 7, Los Angeles on April 21 plus more cities afterwards.
The debut feature from writer-director Saim Sadiq, Joyland explores the many sides of love and desire in a patriarchal society. Gentle and timid, Haider (Ali Junejo) lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father, and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. Following a long spell of unemployment, Haider finally lands a job at a Bollywood-style burlesque, telling his family he is a theater manager, when in actuality, he is a backup dancer. The unusual...
and Sania Saeed will soon be released in U.S. theaters beginning with New York on April 7, Los Angeles on April 21 plus more cities afterwards.
The debut feature from writer-director Saim Sadiq, Joyland explores the many sides of love and desire in a patriarchal society. Gentle and timid, Haider (Ali Junejo) lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father, and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. Following a long spell of unemployment, Haider finally lands a job at a Bollywood-style burlesque, telling his family he is a theater manager, when in actuality, he is a backup dancer. The unusual...
- 3/10/2023
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All At Once Everything Everywhere All At Once continued its awards dominance by sweeping the board at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's film, about a woman (Michelle Yeoh) who finds herself pulled across the multiverse, won seven statuettes including best director and best film. Yeoh and her co-star Ke Huy Quan won the best lead and supporting performance awards as the acting gongs went neutral for the first time.
Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio in Critics' Week winner Aftersun by Charlotte Well Photo: Courtesy of Cannes Critics' Week It was also a good night for the UK as Charlotte Wells took home the Best First Feature Award for her poignant dad and daughter drama Aftersun, starring Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio.
Best documentary went to Laura Poitras' All The Beauty And The Bloodshed - about the downfall of the Sackler pharmaceutical empire - while Joyland,...
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's film, about a woman (Michelle Yeoh) who finds herself pulled across the multiverse, won seven statuettes including best director and best film. Yeoh and her co-star Ke Huy Quan won the best lead and supporting performance awards as the acting gongs went neutral for the first time.
Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio in Critics' Week winner Aftersun by Charlotte Well Photo: Courtesy of Cannes Critics' Week It was also a good night for the UK as Charlotte Wells took home the Best First Feature Award for her poignant dad and daughter drama Aftersun, starring Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio.
Best documentary went to Laura Poitras' All The Beauty And The Bloodshed - about the downfall of the Sackler pharmaceutical empire - while Joyland,...
- 3/5/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The Film Independent Spirit Awards selected A24’s Everything Everywhere All at Once as its Best Feature on Saturday to culminate its 38th edition, one of seven wins for the metaverse-set pic that solidifies its frontrunner status in one of the last major awards stops ahead of March 12’s Academy Awards.
Everything, which had a leading eight nominations coming into daytime ceremony on the beach at the Santa Monica Pier, also scored wins for Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu in the awards’ inaugural gender-neutral performance categories across film and TV. The film also won for The Daniels’ directing and screenplay, and for Paul Rogers’ editing.
Related Story ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ Continues Awards Season Victory March With Sweep At Indie Spirits Heading Into Oscars Related Story How To Watch Saturday's Film Independent Spirit Awards Online Related Story Oscar Week 2023 Parties & Events: The List Ke Huy Quan,...
Everything, which had a leading eight nominations coming into daytime ceremony on the beach at the Santa Monica Pier, also scored wins for Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu in the awards’ inaugural gender-neutral performance categories across film and TV. The film also won for The Daniels’ directing and screenplay, and for Paul Rogers’ editing.
Related Story ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ Continues Awards Season Victory March With Sweep At Indie Spirits Heading Into Oscars Related Story How To Watch Saturday's Film Independent Spirit Awards Online Related Story Oscar Week 2023 Parties & Events: The List Ke Huy Quan,...
- 3/5/2023
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Lassoing international film titles as far back as last year’s Manuela Martelli’s Chile ’76 and Saim Sadiq’s Joyland and as recent as Berlinale’s Abbruzzese’s Disco Boy, Lila Avilés’ Tótem and Tia Kouvo’s Family Time, the 2023 edition of the New Directors/New Films is loaded in special filmmaker guests from all corners of the globe. One of our Sundance faves in Savanah Leaf’s Earth Mama will open the fest and Vuk Lungulov-Klotz’s Sundance-Berlinale preemed Mutt will be the Closing Night film. Here is the complete lineup and screening dates.
Opening Night
Earth Mama
Savanah Leaf, USA, 2023, 97m
New York Premiere
A devastating and evocative portrait of motherhood refracted through the prisms of race and class, Savanah Leaf’s auspicious debut feature is a deeply affecting work of cinematic humanism.…...
Opening Night
Earth Mama
Savanah Leaf, USA, 2023, 97m
New York Premiere
A devastating and evocative portrait of motherhood refracted through the prisms of race and class, Savanah Leaf’s auspicious debut feature is a deeply affecting work of cinematic humanism.…...
- 3/1/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
A new year means a new New Directors/New Films lineup.
The 2023 festival, presented by the Museum of Modern Art and Film at Lincoln Center, is set to take place from March 29 through April 9 and boasts films from 41 directors. The 52nd edition of the festival kicks off with Savannah Leaf’s A24 drama “Earth Mama” and concludes with Vuk Lungulov-Klotz’s trans coming-of-age story “Mutt.” Both premiered at Sundance to acclaim.
In total, the festival boasts 27 features and 11 short films, with screenings taking place at theaters both at MoMA and Flc. Nations represented range from Argentina to Angola, Nigeria to Ukraine.
“This geographically diverse lineup brings together new directors from all over the world presenting works that make bold and creative statements on everything from identity and family to political repression and postcolonial discourse,” MoMA film curator and 2023 Nd/Nf co-chair La Frances Hui said in a press statement. “The...
The 2023 festival, presented by the Museum of Modern Art and Film at Lincoln Center, is set to take place from March 29 through April 9 and boasts films from 41 directors. The 52nd edition of the festival kicks off with Savannah Leaf’s A24 drama “Earth Mama” and concludes with Vuk Lungulov-Klotz’s trans coming-of-age story “Mutt.” Both premiered at Sundance to acclaim.
In total, the festival boasts 27 features and 11 short films, with screenings taking place at theaters both at MoMA and Flc. Nations represented range from Argentina to Angola, Nigeria to Ukraine.
“This geographically diverse lineup brings together new directors from all over the world presenting works that make bold and creative statements on everything from identity and family to political repression and postcolonial discourse,” MoMA film curator and 2023 Nd/Nf co-chair La Frances Hui said in a press statement. “The...
- 2/28/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Film at Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art have set Savanah Leaf’s Earth Mama and Vuk Lungulov-Klotz’s Sundance Special Jury Award winner Mutt, both debut features, as opening and closing film at the 52st edition of their collaboration, New Directors/New Films, running March 29–April 9 in NYC.
The festival will introduce will showcase 27 features and 11 shorts from 41 directors at theaters in both venues.
Mutt star Lio Mehial was awarded a U.S. Special Jury Award for acting at Sundance Film festival for their portrayal of Feña, a twentysomething trans man contending with an onslaught of aggravation, surprise encounters and emotional choices over the course of a single hectic day in New York City. “We were charmed, seduced, and compelled by this fresh new performer as we watched them navigating the intimate complexities of their everyday life and relationships in his search for acceptance,” the jury citation said.
The festival will introduce will showcase 27 features and 11 shorts from 41 directors at theaters in both venues.
Mutt star Lio Mehial was awarded a U.S. Special Jury Award for acting at Sundance Film festival for their portrayal of Feña, a twentysomething trans man contending with an onslaught of aggravation, surprise encounters and emotional choices over the course of a single hectic day in New York City. “We were charmed, seduced, and compelled by this fresh new performer as we watched them navigating the intimate complexities of their everyday life and relationships in his search for acceptance,” the jury citation said.
- 2/28/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’ and ‘Broker’ also open in top 10.
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (Feb 24-26) Total gross to date Week 1. Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania (Disney) £3.05m £14.65m 2 2. Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (Universal) £1.76m £20.5m 4 3. Cocaine Bear (Universal) £1.58m £1.58m 1 4. What’s Love Got To Do With It? (Studiocanal) £1.03m £1.08m 1 5. Magic Mike’s Last Dance (Warner Bros)
£470,000 £4.9m 3
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.20
Universal’s Cocaine Bear led the weekend’s new titles at the UK-Ireland box office, taking £1.58m from February 24-26.
The comedy thriller, directed by Elizabeth Banks, landed third on the...
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (Feb 24-26) Total gross to date Week 1. Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania (Disney) £3.05m £14.65m 2 2. Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (Universal) £1.76m £20.5m 4 3. Cocaine Bear (Universal) £1.58m £1.58m 1 4. What’s Love Got To Do With It? (Studiocanal) £1.03m £1.08m 1 5. Magic Mike’s Last Dance (Warner Bros)
£470,000 £4.9m 3
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.20
Universal’s Cocaine Bear led the weekend’s new titles at the UK-Ireland box office, taking £1.58m from February 24-26.
The comedy thriller, directed by Elizabeth Banks, landed third on the...
- 2/27/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Through the course of this ensemble drama from Saim Sadiq a number of serious themes will emerge about the oppression of gender traditions but he displays a lightness of touch that hooks us on gentle observation as we enter the world of a single Pakistani household.
The family is ruled by an ageing widowed patriarch (Salmaan Peerzada), whose opinions of the rest of his brood are generally strict and sour. He reserves particular opprobrium for his youngest son Haider (Ali Junejo), who is more or less functioning as a house husband while his make-up artist wife Mumtaz (Rashi Farooq) goes out to work. While at home Haider cooks, cleans and helps out his older go-getter brother Kaleem (Sohail Sameer) and wife Nucchi (Sarwat Gilani) with their three - and soon to be four - young children.
The preference for boys is accentuated by Kaleem and Nucchi’s hopes for their latest.
The family is ruled by an ageing widowed patriarch (Salmaan Peerzada), whose opinions of the rest of his brood are generally strict and sour. He reserves particular opprobrium for his youngest son Haider (Ali Junejo), who is more or less functioning as a house husband while his make-up artist wife Mumtaz (Rashi Farooq) goes out to work. While at home Haider cooks, cleans and helps out his older go-getter brother Kaleem (Sohail Sameer) and wife Nucchi (Sarwat Gilani) with their three - and soon to be four - young children.
The preference for boys is accentuated by Kaleem and Nucchi’s hopes for their latest.
- 2/26/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The director’s debut won the Cannes Jury prize, yet was denounced in his native Pakistan. He discusses masculinity, religious censorship and challenging the patriarchy
Saim Sadiq is at a cafe in London ahead of a screening of his debut film, Joyland. The film, which he co-wrote and directed, is a tender love story set in Lahore about an unemployed married man, Haider (Ali Junejo), who comes from a traditional family but takes a job as a backing dancer at an erotic dance theatre where he falls in love with a transgender woman called Biba (Alina Khan).
The film won the Jury prize at Cannes last May. It was the first Pakistani film to be screened at the festival; it has been praised by Riz Ahmed and Malala who both signed on as executive producers.
Saim Sadiq is at a cafe in London ahead of a screening of his debut film, Joyland. The film, which he co-wrote and directed, is a tender love story set in Lahore about an unemployed married man, Haider (Ali Junejo), who comes from a traditional family but takes a job as a backing dancer at an erotic dance theatre where he falls in love with a transgender woman called Biba (Alina Khan).
The film won the Jury prize at Cannes last May. It was the first Pakistani film to be screened at the festival; it has been praised by Riz Ahmed and Malala who both signed on as executive producers.
- 2/24/2023
- by Sarfraz Manzoor
- The Guardian - Film News
Saim Sadiq’s film explores the unsettled social and sexual identities of a widower and his children with delicacy and tenderness
The right way to feel love, and the right way to feel part of a family, are the insoluble difficulties at the heart of this mysterious, sad and tender movie from Pakistan, a drama brimming with life and novelistic detail, directed by the first-time film-maker Saim Sadiq. He has been rewarded with the Un Certain Regard jury prize at Cannes, an official entry-shortlisting for the Academy Awards (though not a final nomination), and derision and censorship from Pakistan’s sterner political classes for his film’s supposed sexual immorality.
It is the story of an extended family in Lahore. Rana Amanullah, or “Abba” (Salmaan Peerzada), is an elderly widower in a wheelchair who presides over a large clan in a cramped apartment, near an amusement park called Joyland. One son,...
The right way to feel love, and the right way to feel part of a family, are the insoluble difficulties at the heart of this mysterious, sad and tender movie from Pakistan, a drama brimming with life and novelistic detail, directed by the first-time film-maker Saim Sadiq. He has been rewarded with the Un Certain Regard jury prize at Cannes, an official entry-shortlisting for the Academy Awards (though not a final nomination), and derision and censorship from Pakistan’s sterner political classes for his film’s supposed sexual immorality.
It is the story of an extended family in Lahore. Rana Amanullah, or “Abba” (Salmaan Peerzada), is an elderly widower in a wheelchair who presides over a large clan in a cramped apartment, near an amusement park called Joyland. One son,...
- 2/22/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
CAA has signed director Saim Sadiq, who helmed “Joyland,” Pakistan’s official entry for the 95th Academy Awards, for representation.
Sadiq was named one of Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch” for 2023 in recognition of the film, which marks his debut feature. “Joyland” made its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival — becoming the first Pakistani film to debut at the fest — where it was awarded the Un Certain Regard jury prize and the Queer Palm. The film has also been nominated for best international film at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards and made history as Pakistan’s first film to be shortlisted for best international feature film at the Academy Awards.
Written and directed by Sadiq, the film tells the story of Haider (Ali Junejo), who lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. After a long spell of unemployment, Haider...
Sadiq was named one of Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch” for 2023 in recognition of the film, which marks his debut feature. “Joyland” made its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival — becoming the first Pakistani film to debut at the fest — where it was awarded the Un Certain Regard jury prize and the Queer Palm. The film has also been nominated for best international film at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards and made history as Pakistan’s first film to be shortlisted for best international feature film at the Academy Awards.
Written and directed by Sadiq, the film tells the story of Haider (Ali Junejo), who lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. After a long spell of unemployment, Haider...
- 2/15/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
While the final five in the international category at the Oscars ended up being mostly Eurocentric, the shortlist was one of the most diverse. Especially notable are the number of edgy stories set in different Muslim societies.
They come not only from the Arab world such as Morocco’s submission “The Blue Caftan,” helmed by Maryam Touzani (“Adam”), but also Denmark with “The Holy Spider” from helmer Ali Abbasi (“Border”) and Sweden with “The Cairo Conspiracy” (ne “The Boy From Heaven”) directed by Tarik Saleh. There’s also Saim Sadiq’s debut feature, “Joyland,” from Pakistan, but it is a Pakistan-India-u.S. production.
For the past several decades, filmmaking in the Nordic countries has been enriched by first- and second-generation or emigré talents with a hyphenated identity. For example, Stockholm-born director-writer Saleh’s father is Egyptian and his mother is Swedish. He draws on that heritage, in particular that of his paternal grandfather,...
They come not only from the Arab world such as Morocco’s submission “The Blue Caftan,” helmed by Maryam Touzani (“Adam”), but also Denmark with “The Holy Spider” from helmer Ali Abbasi (“Border”) and Sweden with “The Cairo Conspiracy” (ne “The Boy From Heaven”) directed by Tarik Saleh. There’s also Saim Sadiq’s debut feature, “Joyland,” from Pakistan, but it is a Pakistan-India-u.S. production.
For the past several decades, filmmaking in the Nordic countries has been enriched by first- and second-generation or emigré talents with a hyphenated identity. For example, Stockholm-born director-writer Saleh’s father is Egyptian and his mother is Swedish. He draws on that heritage, in particular that of his paternal grandfather,...
- 2/8/2023
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
The Miami Film Festival will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. The festival, which runs from March 3 to March 12, includes 12 world premieres. The event will open with Ray Romano’s “Somewhere in Queens” and close with Stephen Frears’ “The Lost King.” The festival will screen a total of 140 films from more than 30 countries.
Director of programming Lauren Cohen said, “In our fourth decade of programming, we’re proud to continue bringing a diversity of top-quality films to increasingly sophisticated audiences.”
Four centerpiece presentations will take place during the festival, spotlighting key films with directors in attendance for post-screening Q&As. Included in that slate are Stephen Williams’ “Chevalier,” starring Kelvin Harrison, Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton and Minnie Driver; Benjamin Millepied’s “Carmen,” starring Melissa Barrera, Paul Mescal and Rossy De Palma; Dani de la Orden and Àlex Murull’s “The Final Game (42 Segundo)”; and Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok’s “Judy Blume Forever.
Director of programming Lauren Cohen said, “In our fourth decade of programming, we’re proud to continue bringing a diversity of top-quality films to increasingly sophisticated audiences.”
Four centerpiece presentations will take place during the festival, spotlighting key films with directors in attendance for post-screening Q&As. Included in that slate are Stephen Williams’ “Chevalier,” starring Kelvin Harrison, Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton and Minnie Driver; Benjamin Millepied’s “Carmen,” starring Melissa Barrera, Paul Mescal and Rossy De Palma; Dani de la Orden and Àlex Murull’s “The Final Game (42 Segundo)”; and Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok’s “Judy Blume Forever.
- 1/31/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
Joyland Trailer — Saim Sadiq‘s Joyland (2022) movie trailer has been released by Oscilloscope Labs. The Joyland trailer stars Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Rasti Farooq, Sarwat Gilani, Salmaan Peerzada, Sameer Sohail, and Sania Saeed. Crew Saim Sadiq and Maggie Briggs wrote the screenplay for Joyland. “Produced by Apoorva Charan, Sarmad Khoosat, Lauren Mann, Kathryn M. Moseley, [...]
Continue reading: Joyland (2022) Movie Trailer: A Family’s Hope For a Male Heir is Thrown Array in Saim Sadiq’s Film...
Continue reading: Joyland (2022) Movie Trailer: A Family’s Hope For a Male Heir is Thrown Array in Saim Sadiq’s Film...
- 1/29/2023
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
"Have you ever dance in a theatre before?" One of the best festival discoveries from 2022 is this Pakistani film titled Joyland, marking the feature debut of filmmaker Saim Sadiq. It was submitted by Pakistan for the 95th Academy Awards, but unfortunately it didn't make the cut as one of the five nominated. Joyland first premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, and it also just played at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival this month in their Spotlight section. "Take a first glimpse into the daring, soul searching film that delves deep into the challenging complexities of desire and gender identity through the lens of the Rana Family." The youngest son from a traditional Pakistani family takes a job as a backup dancer in a Bollywood-style burlesque theater, and he quickly becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman, BIba, who runs the show. It stars Ali Junejo,...
- 1/27/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: The Gotham Film & Media Institute has unveiled the winners of its fourth annual Focus Features & JetBlue Student Short Film Showcase. The five filmmakers chosen are Saleem Gondal, Yingtong Li, Taylor Mannsman, Shannon M. Sutherland and Cheryl Wong.
The Gotham’s Short Film Showcase aims to discover and empower a diverse group of emerging filmmakers, and to foster multi-platform distribution of their work. Winners of this year’s showcase, supported by returning partners JetBlue and Focus Features, as well as new partner Soho House, had their works selected by a jury of filmmakers, curators and critics, with shorts from 23 graduate schools having been submitted. Each was recognized during the 2022 Gotham Awards Ceremony on November 28, received a 10,000 grant, and will have their...
The Gotham’s Short Film Showcase aims to discover and empower a diverse group of emerging filmmakers, and to foster multi-platform distribution of their work. Winners of this year’s showcase, supported by returning partners JetBlue and Focus Features, as well as new partner Soho House, had their works selected by a jury of filmmakers, curators and critics, with shorts from 23 graduate schools having been submitted. Each was recognized during the 2022 Gotham Awards Ceremony on November 28, received a 10,000 grant, and will have their...
- 1/26/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Ireland has received its first nomination for the best international feature Oscar for The Quiet Girl.
Overall, movies from 92 countries and regions were eligible for this year’s Academy Awards in the best international feature category, including some that have never earned a nomination before. But once the shortlist of 15 remaining titles was cut down to the five Oscar nominees, unveiled on Tuesday morning, only one country could celebrate earning its first-ever nod in the category.
Among the shortlisted countries, three had never been nominated for the best international feature honor, which was previously called the best foreign-language film Oscar. They were Morocco (with its submission The Blue Caftan) and Ireland, each of which had made the shortlist once before, as well as Pakistan (Joyland), which had not reached the shortlist before.
Ireland’s contender The Quiet Girl, writer-director Colm Bairéad’s first feature, focuses on a withdrawn child peeking...
Overall, movies from 92 countries and regions were eligible for this year’s Academy Awards in the best international feature category, including some that have never earned a nomination before. But once the shortlist of 15 remaining titles was cut down to the five Oscar nominees, unveiled on Tuesday morning, only one country could celebrate earning its first-ever nod in the category.
Among the shortlisted countries, three had never been nominated for the best international feature honor, which was previously called the best foreign-language film Oscar. They were Morocco (with its submission The Blue Caftan) and Ireland, each of which had made the shortlist once before, as well as Pakistan (Joyland), which had not reached the shortlist before.
Ireland’s contender The Quiet Girl, writer-director Colm Bairéad’s first feature, focuses on a withdrawn child peeking...
- 1/24/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
No matter where in the world you live, and no matter what cultures you are surrounded with, there are a few emotions that are universally understood and felt. One of these universal emotions is more unspoken, and if they are discussed, they're kept in hushed whispers and closed doors. That feeling is repression, the regret of feeling something you shouldn't feel, even if you know it represents your true self.
Repression is at the core of "Joyland," Saim Sadiq's directorial debut, and Pakistan's controversial entry for the Oscars. It asks what were to happen if one fateful decision trickles down a traditional family unit, prompting their most hidden desires to come to light. That's exactly what happens when down-on-his-luck Haider (Ali Junejo) lands a well-paying job at an erotic dance house, serving as a background dancer to the intermission star, Biba (Alina Khan). As Haider begins earning money for his family,...
Repression is at the core of "Joyland," Saim Sadiq's directorial debut, and Pakistan's controversial entry for the Oscars. It asks what were to happen if one fateful decision trickles down a traditional family unit, prompting their most hidden desires to come to light. That's exactly what happens when down-on-his-luck Haider (Ali Junejo) lands a well-paying job at an erotic dance house, serving as a background dancer to the intermission star, Biba (Alina Khan). As Haider begins earning money for his family,...
- 1/21/2023
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
“Joyland” is blossoming at the box office.
Saim Sadiq’s “Joyland” that made history as the first Pakistani film to be chosen in Cannes and shortlisted by the Oscars is slated to screen around the world.
Read More: Priyanka Chopra Shouts Out Pakistan’s Oscar Contender ‘Joyland’: ‘Truly A Joy To Watch’
“Joyland,” which is a sexual revolution story, is presently showing in French theatres and is being distributed by Condor. The film has already made over 1 million at the box office, setting a record for a Pakistani production.
Later this year, Oscilloscope intends to distribute the movie in traditional theatres in the US. It is now showing at Sundance in the Spotlight section.
“To see our labor of love receiving the immense support and critical acclaim of the industry, and then have that translated to global audiences across theaters around the world — it’s been an extraordinary journey I couldn’t have imagined,...
Saim Sadiq’s “Joyland” that made history as the first Pakistani film to be chosen in Cannes and shortlisted by the Oscars is slated to screen around the world.
Read More: Priyanka Chopra Shouts Out Pakistan’s Oscar Contender ‘Joyland’: ‘Truly A Joy To Watch’
“Joyland,” which is a sexual revolution story, is presently showing in French theatres and is being distributed by Condor. The film has already made over 1 million at the box office, setting a record for a Pakistani production.
Later this year, Oscilloscope intends to distribute the movie in traditional theatres in the US. It is now showing at Sundance in the Spotlight section.
“To see our labor of love receiving the immense support and critical acclaim of the industry, and then have that translated to global audiences across theaters around the world — it’s been an extraordinary journey I couldn’t have imagined,...
- 1/20/2023
- by Aashna Shah
- ET Canada
Saim Sadiq’s “Joyland,” a tale of sexual revolution which marked the first Pakistani film to be selected in Cannes and shortlisted by the Oscars, is set to travel around the world following its U.S. premiere at Sundance.
The film is currently playing in theaters in France, where it’s being distributed by Condor and has already grossed over 1 million, a record-breaking box office score for a Pakistani movie.
Championed internationally by Film Constellation, a London- and Paris-based finance, production and sales company, “Joyland” will next come out theatrically in the U.K. and Ireland (Studio Soho), New Zealand (Madman), Spain (Surtsey/Filmin), India (PVR), BeNeLux (September), Scandinavia (Njuta), Germany and Austria (Filmperlen/Filmladen), Switzerland (Trigon), Greece (Cinobo), Portugal (Nos Audiovisuais), Former Yugoslavia (McF), Turkey (Mars), Indonesia (Falcon), South Korea (Choix) and Taiwan (Filmware).
The film has been acquired by HBO in Eastern Europe, with Latin America, Israel and Italy currently in negotiation.
The film is currently playing in theaters in France, where it’s being distributed by Condor and has already grossed over 1 million, a record-breaking box office score for a Pakistani movie.
Championed internationally by Film Constellation, a London- and Paris-based finance, production and sales company, “Joyland” will next come out theatrically in the U.K. and Ireland (Studio Soho), New Zealand (Madman), Spain (Surtsey/Filmin), India (PVR), BeNeLux (September), Scandinavia (Njuta), Germany and Austria (Filmperlen/Filmladen), Switzerland (Trigon), Greece (Cinobo), Portugal (Nos Audiovisuais), Former Yugoslavia (McF), Turkey (Mars), Indonesia (Falcon), South Korea (Choix) and Taiwan (Filmware).
The film has been acquired by HBO in Eastern Europe, with Latin America, Israel and Italy currently in negotiation.
- 1/20/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Kicking off this Thursday, the 2023 Sundance Film Festival gives us a first glimpse at the year in cinema. Ahead of the fest, we’ve highlighted the films we’re most looking forward to and now we’re providing a trailer round-up for those interested in a preview of the lineup.
Ahead of our coverage, bookmark this page for a continually updated round-up of trailers and clips, kicking off with Polite Society, A Common Sequence, Infinity Pool, Rye Lane, Slow, and more.
Check out the trailers below thus far in alphabetical order and we’ll be publishing reviews soon, so follow along here.
The Amazing Maurice (Toby Genkel)
Blueback (Robert Connolly)
A Common Sequence (Mary Helena Clark and Mike Gibisser)
Deep Rising (Matthieu Rytz)
Divinity (Eddie Alcazar)
The Eight Mountains (Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch)
L’immensità (Emanuele Crialese)
Infinity Pool (Brandon Cronenberg)
Joyland (Saim Sadiq)
Mamacruz (Patricia Ortega)
Other...
Ahead of our coverage, bookmark this page for a continually updated round-up of trailers and clips, kicking off with Polite Society, A Common Sequence, Infinity Pool, Rye Lane, Slow, and more.
Check out the trailers below thus far in alphabetical order and we’ll be publishing reviews soon, so follow along here.
The Amazing Maurice (Toby Genkel)
Blueback (Robert Connolly)
A Common Sequence (Mary Helena Clark and Mike Gibisser)
Deep Rising (Matthieu Rytz)
Divinity (Eddie Alcazar)
The Eight Mountains (Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch)
L’immensità (Emanuele Crialese)
Infinity Pool (Brandon Cronenberg)
Joyland (Saim Sadiq)
Mamacruz (Patricia Ortega)
Other...
- 1/18/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
This year’s Sundance Film Festival will see the inclusion of Outfest Outpost at Acura Festival Village.
The on-site and digital hub for queer films and artists selected at Sundance and Slamdance will also feature three panel discussions Jan. 21, presented by Acura and aimed at gathering LGBTQ filmmakers and performers.
“Since 1996, Outfest has shared a very special relationship with Sundance and the community of artists, industry and fans that descend on Park City every year,” said Damien S. Navarro, executive director of Outfest. “To have historical partners like Warner Bros. Discovery — a long-time supporter of the Outfest Queer Brunch —and new partners like Acura — returning for the second year, we are excited to bring the expansion of powerful programming that we began in 2020 to in-person and virtual audiences.”
The first panel, titled “The Road To Abundance: From Sundance and Outfest To the Oscars,” brings together Chester Algernal Gordon, producer of “The Inspection,...
The on-site and digital hub for queer films and artists selected at Sundance and Slamdance will also feature three panel discussions Jan. 21, presented by Acura and aimed at gathering LGBTQ filmmakers and performers.
“Since 1996, Outfest has shared a very special relationship with Sundance and the community of artists, industry and fans that descend on Park City every year,” said Damien S. Navarro, executive director of Outfest. “To have historical partners like Warner Bros. Discovery — a long-time supporter of the Outfest Queer Brunch —and new partners like Acura — returning for the second year, we are excited to bring the expansion of powerful programming that we began in 2020 to in-person and virtual audiences.”
The first panel, titled “The Road To Abundance: From Sundance and Outfest To the Oscars,” brings together Chester Algernal Gordon, producer of “The Inspection,...
- 1/18/2023
- by Katie Reul
- Variety Film + TV
Indian actress Priyanka Chopra has praised Pakistan’s Oscar entry ‘Joyland’ calling it a “must watch” movie.
Priyanka took to Instagram Stories and shared a video of the film’s trailer. She wrote: “#Joyland is truly a joy to watch. Bravo to the entire team for bringing this story to life. It’s a must watch.”
She tagged the film’s makers, director, and some members of the cast as well in her post.
‘Joyland’, directed by debutante Saim Sadiq, tells the tale of a patriarchal family, craving for the birth of a boy to continue the family line. The family’s youngest son, the protagonist, secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for a trans woman.
The film stars Sania Saeed, Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gilani, Rasti Farooq, Salmaan Peerzada and Sohail Sameer. It was released in Pakistan in November after a short ban.
‘Joyland’ is currently...
Priyanka took to Instagram Stories and shared a video of the film’s trailer. She wrote: “#Joyland is truly a joy to watch. Bravo to the entire team for bringing this story to life. It’s a must watch.”
She tagged the film’s makers, director, and some members of the cast as well in her post.
‘Joyland’, directed by debutante Saim Sadiq, tells the tale of a patriarchal family, craving for the birth of a boy to continue the family line. The family’s youngest son, the protagonist, secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for a trans woman.
The film stars Sania Saeed, Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gilani, Rasti Farooq, Salmaan Peerzada and Sohail Sameer. It was released in Pakistan in November after a short ban.
‘Joyland’ is currently...
- 1/18/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
It’s been three years since cinephiles have made their otherwise annual pilgrimage to the Eccles Theater, but the Sundance Film Festival is back! Anyone who doesn’t want to brave Park City temperatures from January 19 – 29, though, can fest online. While a few high-profile releases are being shown exclusively to in-person attendees—Brandon Cronenberg’s “Infinity Pool” and Nicole Holofcener’s “You Hurt My Feelings,” for example—this year’s virtual lineup still features lots of star power and even an Oscar contender for Best International Feature. Single film online tickets can be purchased here.
See over 200 interviews with 2023 awards contenders
“Magazine Dreams”
Following up his acclaimed turn as the first African-American naval pilot Jesse Brown in J.D. Dillard’s “Devotion” with two blockbuster roles (“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Creed III”) and a potential indie breakout that’s premiering at the festival, Jonathan Majors is having a moment.
See over 200 interviews with 2023 awards contenders
“Magazine Dreams”
Following up his acclaimed turn as the first African-American naval pilot Jesse Brown in J.D. Dillard’s “Devotion” with two blockbuster roles (“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Creed III”) and a potential indie breakout that’s premiering at the festival, Jonathan Majors is having a moment.
- 1/18/2023
- by Ronald Meyer
- Gold Derby
Priyanka Chopra is giving praise to Pakistan’s controversial film “Joyland”.
The film is slated for release in the U.S. later this year after a nearly-thwarted Oscar campaign for the film.
The actress promoted the film in her Instagram Stories.
She captioned the post, “#Joyland is truly a joy to watch.”
Read More: Award-Winning Pakistani LGBTQ Film ‘Joyland’ Will Get Theatrical Release
Priyanka Chopra – Photo: Instagram/@priyankachopra
“Bravo to the entire team for bringing this story to life. It’s a must watch,” she continued.
“Joyland” follows the story of the youngest son in a very traditional Pakistani family, who gets a job as a backup dancer in a Bollywood-style burlesque act, where he befriends the headstrong trans woman who runs it all.
The film is written and directed by Saim Sadiq, and stars Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq and Alina Khan. It is also executive produced by Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.
The film is slated for release in the U.S. later this year after a nearly-thwarted Oscar campaign for the film.
The actress promoted the film in her Instagram Stories.
She captioned the post, “#Joyland is truly a joy to watch.”
Read More: Award-Winning Pakistani LGBTQ Film ‘Joyland’ Will Get Theatrical Release
Priyanka Chopra – Photo: Instagram/@priyankachopra
“Bravo to the entire team for bringing this story to life. It’s a must watch,” she continued.
“Joyland” follows the story of the youngest son in a very traditional Pakistani family, who gets a job as a backup dancer in a Bollywood-style burlesque act, where he befriends the headstrong trans woman who runs it all.
The film is written and directed by Saim Sadiq, and stars Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq and Alina Khan. It is also executive produced by Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.
- 1/17/2023
- by Anita Tai
- ET Canada
UK distributor Studio Soho has debuted the new trailer for Saim Sadiq’s debut feature ‘Joyland‘, the first film by a Pakistani director to win at the Cannes Film Festival 2022.
The feature follows a patriarchal family as they yearn for the birth of a baby boy 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 illuminate the entire family’s desire for a sexual rebellion.
The film stars Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Rasti Farooq, Sarwat Gilani, Sohail Sameer, Salman Peerzada, and Sania Saeed.
Also in trailers – Trailer drops for rom-com ‘Rye Lane’
The film will be released in UK cinemas on 24th February 2023.
The post Trailer drops for ‘Joyland’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
The feature follows a patriarchal family as they yearn for the birth of a baby boy 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 illuminate the entire family’s desire for a sexual rebellion.
The film stars Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Rasti Farooq, Sarwat Gilani, Sohail Sameer, Salman Peerzada, and Sania Saeed.
Also in trailers – Trailer drops for rom-com ‘Rye Lane’
The film will be released in UK cinemas on 24th February 2023.
The post Trailer drops for ‘Joyland’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 1/17/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Legal docudrama Saint Omer was voted Best Picture at the 34th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, which announced this year’s juried award winners today.
Saint Omer wins for its ability “to expertly interrogate issues of society, culture, race, and gender,” the festival release stated. “Alice Diop, as screenwriter and director, delivers a film that explores different dynamics of Black women in contemporary France, drawing empathetic lead performances from Kayije Kagame and Guslagie Malanga. By harnessing the skills of her technical team, Diop turns Saint Omer into a shrewd, cogent, ambitious, and overwhelming film which teases a metafictional awareness while remaining clear-eyed and unsentimental.”
The Palm Springs festival took place from January 5-16 and screened 134 films from 64 countries, including 27 premieres. The lineup includes 35 of the International Feature Film Oscar submissions.
The jury award categories included the Fipresci Prize for films...
Saint Omer wins for its ability “to expertly interrogate issues of society, culture, race, and gender,” the festival release stated. “Alice Diop, as screenwriter and director, delivers a film that explores different dynamics of Black women in contemporary France, drawing empathetic lead performances from Kayije Kagame and Guslagie Malanga. By harnessing the skills of her technical team, Diop turns Saint Omer into a shrewd, cogent, ambitious, and overwhelming film which teases a metafictional awareness while remaining clear-eyed and unsentimental.”
The Palm Springs festival took place from January 5-16 and screened 134 films from 64 countries, including 27 premieres. The lineup includes 35 of the International Feature Film Oscar submissions.
The jury award categories included the Fipresci Prize for films...
- 1/15/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hollywood Reporter’s first panel of international directors at this year’s Palm Springs Film Festival features movies with atypical lead actors. Jerzy Skolimowski’s Eo, starring several camera-ready Sardinian donkeys, stands out as perhaps the most unlikely casting choice. Projects such as Pan Nalin’s The Last Film Show and Colm Bairéad’s The Quiet Girl both feature young child actors in lead roles, which necessitated extensive nationwide talent scouting and rigid scheduling to accommodate child labor laws.
The breadth of different tones and kinds of stories included in these Oscar-shortlisted international films is evidenced by the varying genres represented on the panel: Tarik Saleh’s Cairo Conspiracy is a thriller centering around the eponymous Egyptian city’s religious and political elites. Joyland, Saim Sadiq’s feature debut, is a family drama that tackles issues of gender, sexuality and lineage. And Ali Abbasi’s Holy Spider is based...
The breadth of different tones and kinds of stories included in these Oscar-shortlisted international films is evidenced by the varying genres represented on the panel: Tarik Saleh’s Cairo Conspiracy is a thriller centering around the eponymous Egyptian city’s religious and political elites. Joyland, Saim Sadiq’s feature debut, is a family drama that tackles issues of gender, sexuality and lineage. And Ali Abbasi’s Holy Spider is based...
- 1/13/2023
- by Hilton Dresden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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