JOY BOY - A TRIBUTE TO JULIUS EASTMAN (2024)

Six filmmakers enter in conversation about the transcendent music, queer activism and vibrant black spirituality of Julius Eastman; creating a number of eclectic, interconnected film scenes and audio interludes. Their videos are projected while 4 pianists, 4 wind instrument players and 2 singers play Eastman’s music live.

(1) Evil N - Video by Mawena Yehouessi & Fallon Mayanja

“Evil” came from the Old English word, “yfel” which means “wicked”, “vicious”, or “bad”.  Krump comes from Clowning, which is about passing. Or precisely, unveiling the glitched im.possibility of “passing” for black bodies. Krumping is a dance that's a philosophy. Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise, THEY SAID.

Although, no krumping occurs in this video. No evil is present either. Nothing for your white fantasy. 
But future ancestors sounding in our heads : f.healing.

(2) Many, Many Women - Video by Rob Jacobs

Planets travel through the cosmos of a water drop. Swirling lines of text and simple symbols draw star maps of small galaxies. The singers repeat the phrase “this one is one” over and over, in an invitation to feel the interconnection of all beings.

(3) Gay Guerrilla - Video by Anne Reijniers & Paul Shemisi

A group of queer Kinois dancers form a 'Gay Guerrilla', freedom fighters moving through the streets of Kinshasa, falling and rising together. Dancers: Thony Yondo, Sanders Coccinelle, Naomie Kulemfuka & Dan Monga.

(4) Joy Boy - Video by Victoire Karera Kampire

An amazon is about to be buried under some animated organic matter. They kept their jewelry, their “grillz” smile, as protection and gift to the gods as they go back to the earth to which they belong.They body parts - muscles, shiny skin, long painted nails, fake eyelashes - glow through the shadow. They are a - moving - breathing - still - life painting.  

videos by Anne Reijniers, Paul Shemisi, Victoire Karera, Fallon Mayanja, Mawena Yehouessi & Rob Jacobs music by Julius Eastman, Petr Kotik and the S.E.M Ensemble performed by Arturo den Hertog, Esther-Elisabeth Rispens, Djuwa Mroivili, Emi See, Daan Vandewalle, Petr Kotik Joe Kubera & the S.E.M Ensemble mise-en-scène by Ferenc Balcaen light & technique by Anne Van Es coordination by Annik Laruelle produced by DeSingel & Transparant