The Joy of Life — a film by Jenni Olson
"Another perfect film." -Brandon Judell, indieWIRE
"Hypnotic. " -Rob Nelson, The Village Voice
"Unforgettable." -Jeffrey Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
"One of the most sensuous documentaries you will ever see." -Kelly Vance, 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 the San Francisco Film Critics Circle, and has been praised by critics and audiences alike for its unique filmmaking style.
"An alchemical mix of landscape, sexuality, and suicide."
--2005 Sundance Film Festival
Useful links:
See the Press/Playdates page to find out where The Joy of Life is screening; read the rave reviews and interviews!
Read Jenni's January 14, 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Op-Ed calling for a barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Visit the Bridge Rail Foundation website to see how you can support the campaign for a suicide barrier.
Check out the imdb listing for The Joy of Life.
The Joy of Life (2005) | 16mm/HD | color | 65 minutes | USA
For bookings or press requests please contact Jenni on Facebook. Or visit Jenni's blog to see what else she's doing these days.
"Hypnotic. " -Rob Nelson, The Village Voice
"Unforgettable." -Jeffrey Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
"One of the most sensuous documentaries you will ever see." -Kelly Vance, 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 the San Francisco Film Critics Circle, and has been praised by critics and audiences alike for its unique filmmaking style.
"An alchemical mix of landscape, sexuality, and suicide."
--2005 Sundance Film Festival
Useful links:
See the Press/Playdates page to find out where The Joy of Life is screening; read the rave reviews and interviews!
Read Jenni's January 14, 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Op-Ed calling for a barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Visit the Bridge Rail Foundation website to see how you can support the campaign for a suicide barrier.
Check out the imdb listing for The Joy of Life.
The Joy of Life (2005) | 16mm/HD | color | 65 minutes | USA
For bookings or press requests please contact Jenni on Facebook. Or visit Jenni's blog to see what else she's doing these days.
