JOY BOY - a tribute to Julius Eastman (2026, 62’)

a film by Mawena Yehouessi, Fallon Mayanja, Rob Jacobs, Anne Reijniers, Paul Shemisi, Victoire Karera Kampire

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. JOY BOY first came alive as a video-installation accompanying a live performance of Eastman’s music (2024). Since then, the project has continuously been transforming and now lives as a 5-channel installation (2025) and feature lenght film (2026).

synopsis

An homage to Julius Eastman (1940–1980), African American pianist, composer, homosexual – legendary for his voice and his stage presence, who died in poverty. Joy Boy alterates between his music and archival voice recordings – visualised by a trans-national, six-headed collective in four chapters. Inflamed by colonial and life history, raw, radical and crystal clear. Coming from a wide spectrum of theoretical and artistic practices, the directors partake in a complex collaboration, independent and collective at the same time, in solidarity with Eastman and each other.
(Barbara Wurm for Berlinale)

screenings: Berlinale Forum 26’, Prismatic Ground New York, Courtisane Ghent, Hyperreality Vienna, Queer Lisboa, NW Aalst, DeSingel Antwerp

CONTACT: moviejoyboy@gmail.com