Pakistan has made a bold and inclusive choice for its submission to the Oscars. Writer-director Saim Sadiq’s queer drama, Joyland, has been chosen to represent the country for the 95th Academy Awards in the ‘International Feature Film’ category. Transgender actor, Alina Khan, who faced discrimination as a child, plays the protagonist, Biba. This selection is all the more surprising given that several religious groups have been pushing back against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018.
What’s more is that the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, who recently made her foray into films with her own production company Extracurricular Productions, joins the Joyland team, as an executive producer.
“I am incredibly proud to support a film that proves Pakistani artists are among the best in global cinema. Joyland invites us to open our eyes to the people closest to us — to see our family members and friends as they are, not colored by our own expectations or societal bias,” Malala said.
Sadiq’s story of transgender desire in Lahore is both funny and sad, and received rave views among international critics as well, and is set to release in Pakistan on 18 November. It was the first Pakistani film in the Cannes official selection this year and won the “Queer Palm” prize.
After premiering in Toronto, it is currently playing at the BFI London Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival.
Actor Ali Junejo who plays Haider is a married Lahore man who falls in love with Khan’s character, Biba, after starting a job as her backup dancer. A taboo-breaking attempt, this audacious film is garnering wide support for its queer representation.
Khan reminds that professional success as an actor is no guarantee for respect in Pakistan, a society ridden with transphobia. From being called derogatory terms by strangers, to being isolated by her family, Khan has always fought for inclusivity and equality.
Joyland’s selection for the Oscars has put the spotlight back on the actor and the transgender community, especially at a time when religious parties in the country have called the law meant for the protection of such persons as unIslamic.
Political parties like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan are demanding amendments to Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, calling it ‘America’s agenda’. A petition has been filed by Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan from Jamat-e-Islami, a religious political party, in the Federal Shariat Court.
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An old interview of Khan with The Pakistan Experience where she describes her childhood has re-surfaced in light of the recent controversy around the legislation.
It has sparked further conversation about the Act and transgenders in Pakistan.
The star of joyland Alina Khan (Trans Star ) is lighting up Cannes today! She has been awarded the Queer palm award.
A couple of years ago she came on the podcast and spoke about how she was treated growing up trans in Pakistan pic.twitter.com/619zdHNH1p
— Ayesha Rajab Baloch (@AyeshaRajabAli1) May 29, 2022
Ayesha Rajab Baloch, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Production in Pakistan has also come out in support of the actress’ journey.
They deserve to live as much as anyone else. Here is Alina Khan talking about growing up trans in Pakistan – despite the hurdles, she's managed to become an International Superstar starring in Darling and Joyland, movies that have won awards all over the world. pic.twitter.com/Ppg8tXRe9M
— Shehzad Ghias Shaikh (@Shehzad89) October 4, 2022
Shehzad Ghias Shaikh, a famous podcaster from Pakistan shared a clip from the viral interview, lauding the actress and her work.
“What I hope to bring to the table are the voices of women of color, and debut writers and Muslim directors and writers,” said Malala Yousafzai, who had earlier signed a deal for three films with Apple Inc.