Dawn Images

Singer and producer Abdullah Siddiqui is clearly elated to have been a part of Pakistani film Joyland, a Cannes Film Festival selection for the Un Certain Regard category.

Joyland is the feature debut of the director Saim Sadiq, who previously won an award at the 2019 Venice Film Festival for his film Darling. It stars Sarwat Gilani, Salman Peerzada, Sania Saeed, Ali Junejo, Alina Khan and Rasti Farooq. The film is produced by Sarmad Khoosat, Apoorva Guru Charan and Lauren Mann.

Siddiqui — who was associate producer for Coke Studio's season 14 this year — took to Instagram on April 22 to share his joy over being a part of "the first Pakistani film ever to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival".

"I’ve always wanted to do the music for a film but I never thought I’d be lucky enough to get to do the music for what is (a) I think the best Pakistani film ever and (b) the first Pakistani film ever to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival," he wrote.

"Saim Sadiq you are a once-in-a-generation genius and I cannot thank you enough for letting me be a part of your masterpiece."

According to Variety, Joyland is the tale of sexual revolution in a patriarchal family that yearn for the birth of a baby boy. While the family wishes for boys to carry on their family line, the youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for a transsexual star.

Sadiq took to Instagram to share his excitement over Joyland having its "world premiere at the 75th Cannes Film Festival".

Sadiq told Images last week that he hopes the film generates positivity and good debate at home, in Pakistan and around the world because a lot of very passionate people have put a lot of heart and soul into this film. He also said that he and the crew plan on bringing the film to Pakistan later this year.

UK and France-based sales firm Film Constellation has been appointed to handle the international rights for the film. Sales duties in North America for the film will be handled by WME.