Not every Pakistani movie gets the chance to be selected for the Oscars. Because believe it or not every film industry has this syndrome of being nominated for Oscars, because it’s been considered the most precious moment.
Pakistan’s Oscars Selection Committee consists of various directors and actors who selected Pakistani films to send for Oscar nomination.
And the jury selected Joyland, the movie that made everyone stand up and give a big round of applause to the team of Joyland at Cannes.
Joyland Selected For The Oscars
Joyland achieved a big milestone when it became the first-ever Pakistani featured film to be selected.
The film written and directed by Saim Sadiq, and produced by Apoorva Guru Charan, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat and Lauren Mann, Joyland features Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, Sarwat Gillani, Salman Peerzada, Sohail Sameer, and Sania Saeed.
“We are delighted to be able to send one of our best to compete at the Academy Awards this year. Joyland gives us hope that Pakistani cinema is finally leaving a mark on the world stage. This may just be the year we get noticed! Congratulations to the entire filmmaking team.” said Pakistan Oscar Committee chair, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
‘I am humbled’, Saim Sadiq
Saim Sadiq, the director of the film shared his offerings about the selection. “I am humbled, thankful, and excited about this immense honor to represent Pakistan at the Oscars with a film that I truly believe is an honest and compassionate representation of who we are as people.
I hope that the joys and sorrows of these characters foster empathy amongst the viewers in Pakistan and abroad. In the coming months, we will need many duas and good wishes from our people for the road ahead.”
The director went on to add, “We always complain about how – despite the presence of many great artists in all fields – Pakistani art has remained grossly underrepresented in the world.
This year, however, has been different already. So, I’ll take this moment to feel hopeful. With my gratitude to the selection committee, I wish the best of luck to Joyland and to Pakistan!”
Joyland won the the best film from the subcontinent at the Indian Film Festival Of Melbourne.
Most Wonderful Team
Producers Apoorva Guru Charan and Sarmad Sultan Khoosat have said, “The journey of making Joyland has brought together the most wonderful team from around the world, united in a truly South-Asian, universally human story from Pakistan. We are so grateful to the committee – with this entry, we get to share Joyland with a larger audience. With love from Pakistan, to the world.”
This film will mark it ninth submission by the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee. Previously submitted includes, previously submitted Zinda Bhaag in 2013, Dukhtar in 2014, MOOR in 2015, Mah-e-Mir in 2016, Saawan in 2017, Cake in 2018, Lal Kabootar in 2019, and Zindagi Tamasha in 2020.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will choose the final nominees for all award categories including International Feature Film in December 2022.
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