Artists: Depression, Anxiety & Rage

Jasmine Hirst and I have spent the past two years interviewing musicians, artists, and writers about their lifelong struggles with mental health.

The roots of depression run deep. We explore the devastation caused by childhood trauma, neglect, poverty, malnutrition, genetics, chemical imbalance, and existential angst. With this documentary, we strive to present hope to anyone who suffers from depression, anxiety, or rage in the knowledge that they are not alone. There are a variety of methods to be utilized to cope once the darkness does descend.

Art is the salve to the universal wound. Artists split themselves open. They are both offering up and seeking salvation with the revelations they share. I feel I was summoned as oracle, giving voice to encourage others to rage against the soul murder of the individual due to the traumas that remain and from which they still suffer.

So many of us possess a nagging resistance that prevents us from acknowledging the love and acceptance that is offered up to us now because it was denied to us as children. I strive both as an artist and an individual to bring relief to other people by exposing personal wounds in the hope that they will not feel so alone. Because they are not alone. - Lydia Lunch

Featured Artists:
Shirley Manson - Musician (Garbage)
Jerry Stahl - Writer (Permanent Midnight)
JG Thirlwell - Composer (Foetus)
Kid Congo Powers - Musician (The Gun Club/The Cramps/Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)
Adele Bertei - Author, Musician (The Bloods/The Contortions)
Ian White - Musician (Gallon Drunk/Big Sexy Noise)
Ian Wilson - Musician (The Star Spangles)
Bryan Lewis Saunders - Poet, Visual Artist
Zohra Atash - Composer, Musician (Azar Swan)
Eugene Robinson - Musician, Writer (Whipping Boy/Oxbow)
Roisin Davis - Literary Agent for Noam Chomsky
Sadie Tomicich - Musician, Artist (Harry Crews)
Sylvia Black - Composer, Musician
Tim Stegall - Musician, Journalist
Ron Athey - Performance Artist
Joseph Keckler - Composer, Video Artist
Slava Mogutin - Photographer, Poet
Kier-La Janisse - Author (House of Psychotic Women)
Admiral Grey - Musician, Puppeteer
Michael Foster - Musician
Sam Ospovot - Musician (Enablers)
Lawrence Lewis - Producer
Thor Harris - Musician, Visual Artist (Swans)
Jack Blare - Poet
Zoe Hansen - Author, Artist
Joey Koneko - Musician
Vanessa Skantze - Performer
Weasel Walter - Composer, Musician

[Artists: Depression, Anxiety & Rage - Directed by Lydia Lunch and Jasmine Hirst (72 min -Documentary- 2024)]