Regarding popular cinema and media presentation, one finds themselves engulfed in various ideas and presentations of multiple groups of individuals and how, according to societal standards, their lives and sense of self should be laid out. One often comes across different versions of gender performatitvty. Sometimes, it is presented in glorified manners, while others lay out a picturesque presentation of what gender and sexuality presentation should and should not look like.
The film Joyland, directed by Saim Sadiq, through the character of Haider, presents the idea of what brown masculinity should and should not be in the eyes of a Pakistani community.
The character of Haider is introduced in the film in the opening scenes, where he is seen running around and playing with his nieces. A stay-at-home husband faces constant indirect criticism from his family for not being employed and potentially living off his wife's pay as a beautician. He is seen helping around the kitchen, washing dishes and doing other domestic chores. All of which are traditionally tied to the feminine role.
Despite being a man of the family, he is not given much of a treatment of a patriarch. He is looked down upon and belittled based on his capacity to work and earn or be "man enough". This constant streak is shown throughout the film, presenting a form of brown masculinity which is, in fact, not hegemonic.
Throughout the film, Haider finds himself in different situations and elements. This includes his interaction with his wife, family, the theatre he works in and his love interest, Biba, a trans actress. At work, he is again found to struggle and is employed as a dancer but chooses to tell his family he is the stage manager. The active choice to mold his job status hints at Haider realising what aspect will get him critiqued and what will get approval from the other male patriarchs in the family.
Dynamics like these unpack the complexities and intertwined web of emotions and performativity that brown masculinities are tied into. Joyland beautifully presents the complex nature of masculinity and the ongoing negotiations to establish and reestablish it throughout every interaction that an average man like Haider goes through.
Despite being one for the intention of creating art and providing entertainment, the film presents some genuine phenomena and aspects of one's life that are often overlooked for being too mundane. The operationalisation of Haider's masculinity provides a case study to dissect further the meaning behind being brave enough for a community like ours, which does not happen in movies but in the lives of many men.
By Minahyl Haider
Comments