Joyland

In Lahore, Haider is the youngest son of a large household and out of work. The only thing expected of him at home is a son by his wife Mumtaz. Instead he takes a job as a back-row dancer in an erotic dance theatre and attaches himself to Biba, the trans woman who is the troupe's star. He hides the job from his family, while Mumtaz is pushed into giving up hers. This is not a love triangle. It is an order in which everyone is made to live someone else's life, and the person who pays hardest is the one who gets least to the amusement park the film is named after. The camera watches from doorways for much of the running time, and the house never looks large. Saim Sadiq's first feature. Ali Junejo plays Haider, Rasti Farooq plays Mumtaz and Alina Khan plays Biba. It was the first Pakistani production selected for Cannes, where it took the Un Certain Regard jury prize and the Queer Palm in 2022. At home it was banned first, then reviewed after public outcry and pressure from the cast and crew, and released in mid November with the censor board's cuts. In December it became the first Pakistani film shortlisted for the international feature Oscar. Who it is for: viewers who like slow cinema built on family pressure and desire. Who it is not for: anyone looking for a clear hero. The film absolves nobody and its ending is harsh.