Still from Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story

Premieres

Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story

Judd Apatow, Neil Berkeley

Blurring the line between performance and personal crisis, comedian Maria Bamford turns her mental health journey into material that’s riotously funny and ultimately inspiring. What emerges is a portrait of an artist transforming vulnerability into creative strength through honesty.

Runtime
116 min
Language
English

Screenings

Maria Bamford is beloved for turning her radical sensitivity and honesty into laughs. Co-directors Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley trace her path to comedy, from her childhood in Duluth, Minnesota, to discovering stand-up in college, and finding fame in Los Angeles. The film expertly balances Bamford’s distinctive comedic voice with a thoughtful exploration of her mental health journey and the relationships, both nurturing and challenging, that shaped her.

Amid hilarious moments from her stand-up specials and fellow comedians weighing in on what makes her so funny, Bamford lays bare the anxiety and persistence underpinning her career, all with disarming humor. Whether you’re a fan or a newcomer, this film feels like laughing with a friend who speaks with a fearless intimacy, infusing our hardest truths with a laugh. — SO

Available in person only.