Joyland is a locally made film focusing on many themes relevant to Pakistan. On August 17 the Pakistani government approved Joyland’s release. After reversing its decision, some asked questions.
1. Why was the censor board’s approval of JOYLAND 17 August 2022 reversed a week before release?
2. Why were complaints by people who haven’t seen the film accepted?
3. Is violence in films approved by the censor in line with our “moral standards”?#ReleaseJoyland pic.twitter.com/Yw07yY5UUx— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) November 12, 2022
Others highlighted the urgency to release it to ensure it remained in the running for an Oscar.
Joyland needs to be released for a week before Nov 30 deadline for it to be eligible for Oscars this year. This is/was our best shot and the censor board is jeopardising it by listening to hypocrites who haven’t even seen the film.
There’s still time though: #ReleaseJoyland
— Usama Lali (@usamalali_) November 12, 2022
And then there were people who spoke out against the campaigns aimed at maligning the film.
There’s a paid smear campaign doing rounds against #Joyland, a film that made history for Pakistani cinema, got passed by all censor boards but now authorities are caving into pressure from some malicious people who have not even seen the film. #ReleaseJoyland @MoIB_Official
— sarwat gilani (@sarwatgilani) November 12, 2022
The moral brigade was also called out for their hypocrisy.
I love that our moral brigade didn’t find a full bodied Punjabi man, smoking up scorpion dust and keeping sex slaves chained to his bed, ‘socially and morally offensive’, but the word ‘trans’ puts their knickers in a twist. #ReleaseJoyland #letcinemabreath
— AHI (@aamnaisani) November 13, 2022
While there has been much outrage about the ban, there is also a clear recognition of a need to address the issue at hand constructively as well.
If the themes of Joyland (and this is a hypothesis – I haven't seen the film) are too sensitive/mature for general audiences, then give it an appropriate rating. There's precedent.
But don't deprive us of watching the film.#ReleaseJoyland— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) November 12, 2022
