Whether because of, or in spite of, the conservative repression tied to society and religion in those countries– artful films coming out of Iran and Pakistan have been surprisingly multi-dimensional, brimming with humanity and universal themes that travel beyond their own borders.
‘Joyland ’is set in the big city of Lahore, spends more of its scenes in the straight-laced home of the patriarch, his two sons and their respective wives. And kids-many kids. It plays like an ancient Tragedy with contemporary amendments.
The younger son, Haider (Ali Junejo), isn’t exactly effeminate, but he goes against the machismo that is prevalent in his culture. He is playful and gentle with the kids and content to let his wife, Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq,) be the breadwinner.
When Haider is finally peer-pressured into getting a job, his wife must give up hers and no one is happy. And then there’s the small matter that the job he gets is as a backup performer for a local stage star, a Trans woman dancer called Biba, a larger-than-life persona played by Alina Khan.
The film gets a bit forgivably soapy as marriages get miserable, love goes unrequited and with no less than two references to Romeo and Juliet, the tragedy is completed by suicide – though I will not say whose or why. But it’s a really good watch.
The film was briefly banned in its home country, which merely reinforces that, even in a town where the often jubilant Desi culture takes center stage- it’s still a place where society shuns the different. Especially when that society is in the microcosm of a Pakistani family sitting round the dinner table.
‘Joyland’ begins streaming on major platforms June 9th | 3 out of 4 Stars
Currently at the Landmark E Street Cinema in D.C.