"Unforgettable." -Jeffrey Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
"One of the most sensuous documentaries you will ever see."
-Kelly Vance, The East Bay Express
The Joy of Life combines stunning 16mm landscape cinematography with a bold, lyrical voiceover (performed by LA-based artist/actor Harriet “Harry” Dodge) to share two San Francisco stories: the history of the Golden Gate Bridge as a suicide landmark, and the story of a butch dyke in San Francisco searching for love and self-discovery.
The two stories are punctuated by Lawrence Ferlinghetti's beautiful reading of his ode to San Francisco, "The Changing Light" and bookended by opening and closing credits music from legendary '50s icon (and probable Golden Gate suicide) Weldon Kees.
The Joy of Life is a film about landscapes, both physical and emotional.
Since its January 2005 premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, this innovative feature film has played a pivotal role in renewing debate about the need for a suicide barrier on The Golden Gate Bridge. The Joy of Life has taken home awards from both the New York and Los Angeles Lesbian & Gay Film Festivals, and has been praised by critics for its unique style and dynamic vision.
Useful links:
See the Press/Playdates page to find out where The Joy of Life is screening; read the rave reviews and interviews!
