Award-Winning Pakistani Film Gets Alternative Venue Debut Nearly Two Years After Provincial Prohibition
Pakistan’s internationally acclaimed film “Joyland” is set to make its long-awaited Lahore debut through an alternative screening event, circumventing the provincial cinema ban that has blocked the Cannes Prize-winner from traditional theaters for nearly two years.
Underground Cinema Event Offers Rare Opportunity
Event organizer Noor Ul Ain Choudhary, known for hosting mixtape events across Lahore and Karachi, announced the groundbreaking screening in collaboration with OLOMOPOLO Media and Ticketwala ticketing platform. The August 17 event represents the first opportunity for Lahore audiences to experience the controversial film on a big screen.
“Join us for the first screening of Joyland in Lahore on August 17. It is the first Pakistani film to premiere at Cannes and win the Jury Prize, as well as Pakistan’s official Oscar entry,” the announcement declared, adding that writer-director Saim Sadiq will participate in a post-screening Q&A session.
Director’s Bittersweet Response
Sadiq expressed mixed emotions about the alternative screening arrangement, sharing the announcement on his Instagram stories with the comment: “Finally screening in Lahore for the first time lol. But chalo koi nai (Anyway, doesn’t matter)! See you there!”
The director’s casual dismissal masks the significant hurdle his acclaimed work has faced in reaching Pakistani audiences, particularly in the country’s cultural hub of Lahore.
Two-Year Battle Against Provincial Censorship
The path to this screening has been marked by bureaucratic obstacles and political controversy. In November 2022, just hours after Pakistan’s federal government lifted its national ban on “Joyland” – which had already achieved international recognition at Cannes Film Festival in May – the Punjab provincial government issued a prohibition notice.
The Punjab Information and Culture Department cited “persistent complaints” and invoked sections 9(1) and (2)(a), (b) of the Motion Pictures Ordinance of 1979 to block exhibition throughout the province. Producer Sarmad Sultan Khoosat received official notice that “Joyland” could not be shown in Punjab “until further notice by the provincial government.”
International Acclaim Meets Local Resistance
The provincial ban created a stark contradiction between the film’s international success and its domestic reception. “Joyland” made history as the first Pakistani feature film to compete at the Cannes Film Festival, where it earned the prestigious Un Certain Regard Jury Prize.
The film also served as Pakistan’s official entry for the Academy Awards, representing the country on the world’s most prominent cinema stage while remaining largely inaccessible to Pakistani audiences in the nation’s most populous province.
Premium Pricing for Exclusive Access
Tickets for the alternative screening are priced at Rs2,000, reflecting both the exclusive nature of the event and the significant costs associated with organizing screenings outside traditional cinema distribution channels.
The premium pricing also underscores the pent-up demand among Lahore’s cinema enthusiasts who have waited nearly two years to experience the internationally celebrated work.
Film’s Controversial Subject Matter
“Joyland” explores provocative themes that likely contributed to the official resistance it has faced. The narrative follows Haider, a young married man from a patriarchal Lahore household who becomes romantically interested in Biba, a transgender dancer performing in an erotic dance theater.
The film examines complex issues including desire, identity, family dynamics, and patriarchal structures within contemporary Pakistani society – subjects that have proven controversial among conservative elements within the country.
Cultural Significance Beyond Entertainment
The screening event represents more than entertainment; it symbolizes the ongoing tension between artistic expression and cultural conservatism in Pakistan. The film’s international recognition contrasts sharply with domestic censorship, highlighting debates about creative freedom and social values.
For Lahore’s cultural community, the OLOMOPOLO Media event offers both a viewing opportunity and a statement about supporting challenging artistic work despite official obstacles.
Alternative Cinema Movement
The successful organization of this alternative screening could establish a precedent for independent film exhibition in Pakistan, demonstrating how creative communities can work around traditional distribution barriers.
The collaboration between event organizers, media spaces, and ticketing platforms shows the potential for grassroots cinema culture to flourish even when faced with institutional resistance.
Director-Audience Dialogue Opportunity
The post-screening Q&A session with Saim Sadiq provides a rare opportunity for direct engagement between the filmmaker and Lahore audiences. This format allows for deeper discussion of the film’s themes, production challenges, and the broader context of Pakistani cinema’s place in international festivals.
Such interactions are particularly valuable given the limited opportunities Pakistani filmmakers typically have to discuss their work with domestic audiences, especially when dealing with controversial subject matter.
Breaking New Ground for Pakistani Cinema
The August 17 screening represents a milestone moment for Pakistani cinema, demonstrating both the international potential of local filmmaking and the challenges faced in reaching domestic audiences with challenging content.
The event underscores the complex relationship between artistic achievement and social acceptance, as Pakistan’s most internationally successful recent film finally reaches audiences in the country’s cultural capital through alternative means rather than traditional cinema channels.
Looking Forward
As “Joyland” prepares for its alternative Lahore debut, the screening may signal new possibilities for independent film distribution in Pakistan, potentially inspiring other filmmakers and organizers to find creative solutions for reaching audiences despite institutional barriers.
The success or failure of this event could influence future approaches to film exhibition in Pakistan, particularly for works that challenge conventional social narratives while achieving international recognition.
