Cannes 2022: Pakistani film ‘Joyland’ wins Jury Prize

‘Joyland,’ Salim Sadiq’s directorial debut, became Pakistan’s first-ever film to bag an award at the Cannes Film Festival. It won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 75th edition of the fete.

Set in Lahore, the film narrates the story of a married man who falls for a transgender woman. It stars Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, who herself is a trans woman, and Sarwat Gilani in lead roles.

‘Joyland’ received a standing ovation from the audience on the opening night of the festival.
‘Joyland’ was also awarded the Prix Queer Palm by Jury chaired by filmmaker Catherine Corsini on May 27.

In an interview with AFP, Alina Khan talked about her role in the film and said, ‘My character Biba and I share a similar struggle.’

She also hopes the film finds responsive audience when it releases in Pakistan.
‘It's an ensemble film that deals with men, women, and gender politics and issues of various kinds that almost everybody can relate to. It's going to be interesting for the audience back home,’ she said.