10 Upcoming Non-English Language Films To Look Out For In 2023
9. Joyland
And now for something completely different.
A Pakistani film in both the Urdu and Punjabi languages, Joyland is the first feature from young director Saim Sadiq.
It revolves around the Rana family, a middle-class clan living in the city of Lahore. The father, Rana Amanullah, is desperate for his wife to give birth to another son, but fate has some very interesting ideas for him.
The strictly conservative man must face up to the fact that his son has fallen in love with a transgender erotic dancer. As you imagine, this does not go well.
Joyland became the first Pakistani movie to premiere at Cannes Film Festival and received a standing ovation from the crowd. It also scooped a couple of awards, including a Queer Palm for its services to LGBTQ+ filmmaking.
Alina Khan, who plays the love interest, is also the first trans actor to receive a major role in a Pakistani picture.
Though already out in several countries, the film receives its UK release in February 2023. For a totally unique cinema experience from an emerging director, you could do far worse than to pay Joyland a visit.