Prince Josh – “The Joy”

Toronto musician Prince Josh (of Prince Innocence) composed a song to capture the feeling of being on a dance floor at 3am in the hidden corners of the city. He called it simply The Joy. With no lyrics on the track, director Paul Sam Johnston incorporates the voices of real party kids, dancers, and DJ’s in an effort to capture an accurate portrait of a world that is so often overly sensationalized. Featuring the Joy of Geist, Jacques Greene, Ciel, Teesh, Karim Olen Ash, Forevernextdoor, and the many silhouettes of Toronto after dark, Johnston explains:

“I believed there was an opportunity here to express what ‘The Joy’ is in a meaningful way that felt a bit more grounded, humble, relatable, and honest. So we cast people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ages, and asked them what ‘The Joy’ is for them in all of this. While each person had their own unique individual story and background, and a varied perspective on the subject, the shared emotional experience is what shone through and became the focus of the film. The Joy, it seems, is discovering a world of fellow misfits coming together and finding a meaningful sense of freedom, community, and belonging in a niche place

I hope in this time, when gathering and dancing with friends is no longer a reality, it can act as reminder of what we all once shared, and what we all will share again.”

Music: Prince Josh
Director: Paul Sam Johnston
Cinematography: Diego Guijarro & Peter Hadfield
Producer: Cia Mellegers
Editor: John Gallagher @ Outsider Editorial
Colorist: Ana Escorse @ Nice Shoes
AC: Felipe Lopez Gomez
Assistant Editor: Lia Han
Sound Mix: Dylan Frankland
PA: Donny Bridger + Chasta Vavala
Label: Hand Drawn Dracula
A very special thank you to Adam Madrzyk for a gracious camera loan.
Special thank you to: Ad Hoc, Ontario Camera, LIFT, Bambis, The Costume House, Mels Montreal, Metropolis New York, Samuel Rodgers, Nick Martin, FACTOR.