Joyland, the Pakistani movie directed by Saim Sadiq, is a profound narrative. The movie portrays themes of gender identity, love, societal oppression, and the problems of living in a patriarchal society. The film tells the story of Haider, a Pakistani man. He finds himself in constant trouble due to traditional masculine expectations. Biba is a transgender woman; she fights for herself in society, which considers her an outsider. By showing their relationship, the movie challenges the heteronormative boundaries and gender roles that are defined in conservative Pakistani society.
The concept of women as "others" is an idea that is shown in Joyland. As de Beauvoir explained, women have historically been positioned as subordinate to men. This concept can be extended to Biba, who is a transgender woman. Biba, due to her gender, is treated as the "other" by society because her identity does not conform to the rigid male-female binary that defines orthodox Pakistani culture.
Haider also faces the status of "other" because he does not fit the societal expectations of masculinity. His traits like sensitivity and performing domestic duties such as taking care of family do not align with the traditional understanding of masculinity in Pakistan. De Beavoirs theory helps us to understand how someone who does not fit in a traditional patriarchal society is alienated or marginalized.
Apart from that, Haider's wife, Mumtaz, is a clear example of how patriarchal expectations affect women's personal and economic agency, as explained by Shailaja Fennel. In the beginning, Mumtaz is satisfied with her work, but over time, she is forced to quit her job to fulfill her role as a housewife. Such forceful economic disempowerment shows Fennel's critique of how patriarchal structures hinder women's development by making them dependent on men.
Meanwhile, Haider's job in a dance theatre, along with Biba, challenges the traditional male breadwinner role. His relationship with his family and society is further complicated by his willingness to take on traditionally not seen as masculine work.
Madeleine Arnot's ideas on how gender is reproduced through socialization can also be seen in Joyland. The family structure in Joyland portrayed an orthodox patriarchal hierarchy, with her father embodying a stern, conservative masculinity that enforces strict gender roles on his children. Thus, Haider needs to conform to these expectations. He is seen as a disappointment by his family. Joyland critiques the patriarchal system that shapes characters' lives by showing the consequences of going against societal norms. It also shows a glimpse of liberation and tragedy. Individuals like Haider, Mumtaz, and Biba should try to carve out spaces for themselves in a society that refuses to accept them.
In conclusion, Joyland is a groundbreaking yet controversial film in Pakistan's cinematic landscape, pushing boundaries with its bold exploration of gender, sexuality, and societal norms. Despite receiving international acclaim, its portrayal of a romantic relationship between a man and a transgender woman triggered an intense backlash from conservative and religious groups. Citing the film's content as "un-Islamic" and a threat to traditional values, the government initially banned it after pressure from these factions. The ban highlighted the deep-rooted tensions between artistic expression and cultural conservatism in Pakistan, sparking critical conversations about censorship, representation, and the fight for more inclusive storytelling in the country’s film industry.
Your understanding of Haider's character—someone who doesn't conform to the traditional masculine expectations of his society— perfectly illustrates how patriarchy doesn't just oppress women, but also constrains men by forcing them into predefined gender roles. Haider's sensitivity and domestic responsibilities, which contrast with the traditional male breadwinner role, place him in a space of alienation similar to Biba. Your nuanced view of masculinity and how it intersects with patriarchy is effectively supported by de Beauvoir’s theory of societal "othering." It is heartbreaking to think about how Joyland was treated in Pakistan though.
I appreciate your insightful analysis of Joyland and its portrayal of gender identity and societal oppression. Some aspects of the film which you focus on and the manner in which you do it is the portrayal of the film’s fight against the socially induced repression of the male and the female identity as portrayed by Haider and Biba respectively. I think your connection to Beauvoir is especially powerful because it enriches the analysis of Biba’s existence as a trans woman in a world that erases her existence. This connection can be useful in explaining further on how gender norms work and what happens to those who do not fit into the binary structure.
Finally, with reference to gender, Haider character also…
You have beautifully captured the essence of Joyland. Your take on how Haider was a 'non-traditional' man is spot on. His portrayal as such was crucial for the Pakistani cinema in order to become a more accurate depiction of what Pakistan really is. I feel like there are a lot of men who have to perform non-tradition roles, like Haider's job, and they often don't see themselves being represented in media products. Moreover, I feel that when you refer to Biba as the 'other', the character's story is perfectly highlighted. Despite the story being focused on her relationship with Haider, I think her character was not given much attention in terms of her own story, struggles and her take on…
Joyland is really a vital film, not just for Pakistani cinema but for the broader discourse around identity and freedom. The way it tackles societal expectations of gender through characters like Haider and Biba is profound. It’s particularly interesting how you’ve tied in De Beauvoir’s concept of the ‘other’—Biba’s experience as a transgender woman really captures that idea of exclusion from a society so entrenched in binary definitions.
What strikes me about Joyland is how it explores masculinity in a nuanced way. Haider’s nonconformity to traditional masculine roles, such as caregiving and emotional sensitivity, adds another layer to the conversation. In many ways, his struggle mirrors the internal conflict many men face when forced into rigid gender roles, a struggle often overlooked…
I feel like its also interesting, when using and viewing media as not just detached aspect which does not concern our daily lives. This also brings in the aspect of looking at media from a more critical eye. And seeing how these aspects apply to our real lives. In the case of the film itself, one is presented with a sense of story presented through art. And the aspects as mentioned in the blog whether that be class inequality, gender inequality or patriarchy at play is seen through a more direct lens. As well as representation becomes important in understanding how conventional form of characters when removed from their conventions can impact debate and perceptions. This shows the hold of…