In the new documentary, “Anxiety Club,” stand-up comedian Marc Maron admits that his relationship with anxiety has changed through the years, but it’s never gone away.
“There's a lot of things I don't give a s--- about that I used to, that were big, anxiety-producing things. I think, with age and certainly with money, a lot of that stuff is sort of just null and void, and it's a relief," the “WTF” podcast host explains.
“But then you start to get into deeper issues, like, ‘Why am I still not enjoying myself?’” he asks. “‘Why am I still feeling less than or uncomfortable in certain situations?’ What is that about?”
“Anxiety Club,” which blurs the lines of vulnerability and humor, promises an unflinching look at how deeply rooted anxiety and depression are in the stand-up comedy scene, all while inviting viewers to have “some laughs along the way.”
In the documentary, Maron is joined by six other comedians: Tiffany Jenkins, Aparna Nancherla, Mark Normand, Joe List, Eva Victor, and Baron Vaughn.
“With a mix of stand-up performances, sketch videos, exclusive interviews, and relatable everyday life experiences, they candidly share their personal struggles with anxiety, the world’s most prevalent mental health condition,” the film’s synopsis reads.
“Viewers will also discover why Hollywood's Laugh Factory took the groundbreaking step of hiring a psychologist-in-residence to support its comics.”
From Jenkins’ personal therapy sessions to List’s attempts to ward off anxiety through meditation, the documentary gives each comic a chance to open up about their relationship between comedy and mental health.
While many comedians talk about using their stand-up acts to work through their mental health struggles, Nancherla recently admitted that performing comedy only elevates her anxiety.
But she forges ahead nonetheless.
“I think some people, it's sort of, like, the stage is where they can let everything go,” she told NPR’s Rachel Martin.
“And for me, it’s like up until I get on stage, it's kind of, like, why did I do this? Where, why, how did I end up here again?” She laughed. “Like a little crackpot...Who did this to me?”
According to streaming platform Jolt.film, a portion of every rental goes to two nonprofits — Comedy Gives Back and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America — to support “those suffering from anxiety, on and off stage.”
Anxiety Club is now available to stream worldwide on Jolt.film.
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Header image via Jolt.film / Anxiety Club
