The Language of Joy

In *The Language of Joy*, based on a poem of the same name by Jacqueline
Allen Trimble, a daughter’s imagination soars as her mother tells her a story about what happened one wonderful day when she was walking down the street looking particularly good. Everything is fabulous until an unexpected visitor threatens to ruin the mother’s happiness. The film celebrates the failure of anything, small or large, to steal black women’s joy.

  • Ouida Washington
    Director
  • Jacqueline Allen-Trimble
    Producer
  • Ouida Washington
    Producer
    382: Organizing for the Future, Beyond the Bricks, The Newark Project +
  • Tunisia Thomas
    Key Cast
    "Mother"
  • Ouida Washington
    Writer
  • Jacquiline Trimble
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 15, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • LACMA Black Joy & Resilliance Film Series
    Los Angeles
    United States
    November 10, 2021
  • New Filmmaker LA
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 19, 2022
  • Montgomery Museum of Fine Art
    Montgomery
    United States
    August 18, 2022
  • Montgomery Cultural Arts Center
    Montgomery
    United States
    December 17, 2021
Director Biography - Ouida Washington

Ouida Washington holds a BFA from Pratt Institute and has worked most of her career as a film and video producer. Ouida’s producing background includes music videos, feature and short narratives, short and long form documentary and corporate video. Ouida also teaches an introductory course on documentary filmmaking at Spelman College. She recently rediscovered her artistic eye and desire to direct with the opportunity to create the vision for the poem The Language of Joy. This directorial debut aligns perfectly with her interest in exploring story lines that expand the narrative of the African American experience.

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Director Statement

This film is a musing on the bond between mother and daughter and seeks to celebrate the joy that is too often overlooked in Black women's lives.