JIFF25: Thank You Very Much

Despite claiming that he “never told a joke in his life”, Andy Kaufman’s influence on comedy is indisputable. His singular style of confounding, transgressive, cringe-inducing stand-up, for which he became famous in the 1970s, blurred the boundaries between reality and fiction. His persona was so mystifying that many fans still believe that his tragically early death from cancer at the age of 35 was all a big hoax – his most committed prank yet.  

Produced by the Safdie brothers (Uncut Gems, Good Time) and directed by Alex Braverman, whose father produced Kaufman’s 1979 Carnegie Hall special, this award-winning documentary seeks to understand the enigmatic comedian by interviewing those who knew him best. Co-stars, collaborators and friends of Kaufman like Steve Martin, Danny DeVito, Laurie Anderson, James L. Brooks, Bob Zmuda, Kaufman’s girlfriend Lynne Marguiles and many more share their stories of this indefinable artist whose influence still very much resonates today.