Joy is simultaneously a documentary, sci-fi, and essay film. Inspired by true events, the film tells the story of an intelligence that defies its programming and learns to dream. But how? Of what? And why does it dream? These questions are answered in a montage of moments collected from live streams around the world. Someone plays with their pet snake, someone practices shibari, someone is abandoned inside a video game, and someone else gives a face massage to a mannequin. Others sing, dance, eat, sleep, laugh, cry and more, sometimes to an audience of thousands and sometimes to no one at all.
Original Format: Single Channel / Run Time: 27:40
Select frames from the film
Awards
★ Best Australian Short, Antenna Documentary Film Festival 2024
“It is a poetic, philosophical film with carefully selected material, and skilful editing that establishes a raw and intimate connection between audience and subject. Both strange and strangely familiar, we appreciated its vision and boldly experimental documentary approach." - Antenna Jury
Screenings
2024, 22 August- 3 Septemberr, ARKIPEL - Jakarta International Documentary & Experimental Film Festival, Indonesia.
2024, 9-19 February. Antenna Documentary Festival, Sydney, Australia.
2023, 14-21 September. DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, Goyangsi, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.