The government of Pakistan has reversed a previous decision by the country's censor board to show its Oscar entry, Joyland. The decision means the film is banned from the country's theatres, a move that could affect its chances at the Academy Awards.
From left, Joyland director Saim Sadiq and actors Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Ali Junejo, Sohail Sameer and Sania Saeed at the film's Toronto International Film Festival premiere on Sept. 12. Pakistan's government has reversed a decision by the country's censor board that would have allowed the movie about a trans love affair to be shown in theatres. The move could jeopardize Joyland's chances at the Oscars.
premiered at Cannes in May, it made history as the first official entry from Pakistan to be invited into the prestigious festival. All films shown in Pakistan must be cleared by regional and national censor boards. In late September,was selected as Pakistan's official Oscar entry and cleared by the country's censor board to be shown in theatres at home.Last week, Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting released a statement saying it had received complaints that the film "contains highly objectionable material which do not conform with the social values and moral standards of our society.
The conditions of Oscar eligibility state the film must be shown in its home country for at least a week before Nov. 30. Although for the, the Academy does allow some movies to qualify while being exhibited outside the country of origin.