Saim Sadiq delivers a remarkable directorial debut in Joyland, the first Pakistani film to premiere at Cannes Film Festival. In addition to its Cannes acclaim, Sadiq’s film is the country’s first-ever Oscar-shortlisted film in the international category and, according to The Guardian, “the first major Pakistani motion picture to feature a trans actor in a lead role.” 

Whether or not it’s the first, I’m too ignorant to say for sure but it’s undoubtedly the most prominent and impactful movie ever released centered on the Pakistani transgender community, who were enshrined with civil if not social rights in 2018. (See Poshida: Hidden LGBT Pakistan for a documentary on the community.)

Read the full review at the Bay Area Reporter.