Marc Maron on Making a Doc About the Grief of Losing His Partner, Lynn Shelton: ‘It Was Interesting to Let Another Artist Interpret What I’m Going Through’

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As a devoted fan, I’ve been captivated by Marc Maron’s journey in “Are We Good?” – a poignant exploration of life following the sudden passing of his partner, the talented filmmaker Lynn Shelton.

In a span of 95 minutes, the documentary titled “Marc Maron: From Mourning to Darkness” is skillfully directed by Steven Feinartz, who previously helmed Marc Maron’s 2023 HBO special “Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark.” This film offers a poignant portrayal of Maron as he navigates his grief, both on and off the comedy stage. It delves deeper into Maron’s extended, intricate career, his battles with substance abuse, his strained bond with his ailing father, and his renowned podcast “WTF With Marc Maron,” which debuted in 2009.

13 years back, during a conversation on the WTF show, Feinartz and Maron commenced shooting “Are We Good” in May 2021 – one year following Shelton’s demise. (This version aims to simplify the sentence structure while maintaining the original meaning.)

In my role as a movie critic, I proudly declare that the creation of this film was an arduous three-and-a-half year journey. A significant portion of this production found me standing alone behind the camera, capturing the essence of Marc. My aim was to craft a raw, uncompromising film that would resonate deeply with viewers. If you’re familiar with his podcast or comedy, you’ll appreciate that authenticity and substance outshine style in his work.

In contrast to the slick, polished documentaries popular today, I chose a more traditional approach, one that echoes the films I admire. Films like “Crumb,” “Hoop Dreams,” and “Bill Cunningham New York” are renowned for their raw honesty and unfiltered storytelling. This is the path I decided to follow in this project.

Does everything seem alright here?” (This phrase captures the essence of Maron’s signature sign-off, offering a casual and relatable tone that reflects the raw, unfiltered nature of his podcast, which follows a 60-year-old man navigating life, work, and healing from heartbreak.)

As a passionate cinephile, I had the pleasure of chatting with EbMaster before the much-anticipated SXSW world premiere of “Are We Good?” on March 11th.

Hi Steven, in your production notes for this movie, you mentioned that you were initially uncertain about creating a documentary about Maron due to his history of closely managing his story. Can you tell us what eventually encouraged you to go ahead with making the film?

Maron: Sure, Maron. Let’s discuss that. I’m curious about how I can manage my storyline. Could you clarify that for me? I’ve felt utterly powerless in controlling my narrative throughout the filming process, but please proceed.

User: Ever since WTF’s inception, I’ve been an avid listener, and I’ve always appreciated the raw, genuine storytelling coming directly from Marc. To me, it feels authentic and personal, a reflection of his interactions with fans. The thought of exploring Marc from a fresh perspective piqued my curiosity, but I had reservations. I worried that perhaps Marc might not have been receptive to a documentary, especially after such a heavy period. I felt a strong sensitivity towards the idea, fearing it could seem exploitative of his grief. So, there were many factors that made me hesitant.

Marc, why did you agree to participate in this documentary?

Maron: A while back, a fellow had plans to create a documentary about me as my podcast was gaining traction and podcasts weren’t widely recognized. It was amusing because I wasn’t sure if I deserved such recognition. So, when Steven proposed this idea, I wondered, “What is this?” Eventually, it evolved into a journey of emerging from the Covid pandemic and coping with grief, and it continued to unfold. There were instances where I asked Steven, “Are you waiting for me to pass away? Are you expecting an ending?” Documentaries are usually produced after someone’s death or a tragic event. But I found it intriguing to let another artist portray my experiences. I thought, if there’s something valuable that people can gain from this project, let’s go ahead with it.

In parts, the documentary has some hilarious scenes, yet it’s not primarily a humorous film focusing on a comedian. I wonder how viewers will respond to this blend of humor and seriousness.

User: It’s clear that viewers of a Marc Maron documentary are aware it won’t be cheerful. It deviates from typical comedy documentaries, as I never aimed to create one. Instead, it offers an in-depth profile. To put it simply, Marc is a charming grump, and those less familiar with his comedy or who haven’t been following the podcast for long might be reminded of what they admired about him and discover fresh insights into him.

Marc, was making this doc cathartic in any way?

The influence the document had on me in terms of emotional release, is that it motivates me to continue doing what I do for the people I’m helping, and it indeed benefits them significantly. It also helps me personally. I’m thrilled about the work I produce.

So would you say that the doc made you feel good about yourself?

Maron: I’m not convinced by that. Let’s just say I didn’t go overboard. After seeing the final version of the movie, I told Steven, “Geez, man, you’ve made me seem like a grumpy but decent guy who managed to succeed in spite of himself.” And he replied, “Yes, exactly.” So, considering this perspective, I don’t think it was a major revelation, but there were some insights about myself that I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.

“Are We Good?” is seeking distribution.

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2025-03-11 20:30