SP
BravenNow
Noah Kahan Makes SXSW Laugh and Cry With Netflix Doc About Depression and Body Dysmorphia: ‘It’s Easy to Shut These Things Away’
| USA | culture | ✓ Verified - variety.com

Noah Kahan Makes SXSW Laugh and Cry With Netflix Doc About Depression and Body Dysmorphia: ‘It’s Easy to Shut These Things Away’

#Noah Kahan #SXSW #Netflix #depression #body dysmorphia #documentary #mental health awareness

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Noah Kahan premiered a Netflix documentary at SXSW addressing depression and body dysmorphia.
  • The documentary elicited both laughter and tears from the audience, highlighting its emotional impact.
  • Kahan emphasized the common tendency to suppress mental health struggles, stating 'It's easy to shut these things away.'
  • The film aims to raise awareness and foster open conversations about mental health issues.

📖 Full Retelling

At SXSW, Noah Kahan debuted a beautiful and revealing documentary about his struggles with fame, depression and body dysmorphia. “I recommend sandwiching it between a couple MrBeast videos to soften the blow,” he joked after the screening. “It’s pretty depressing. It’s definitely not like a party piece.” That being said, the film — titled “Noah […]

🏷️ Themes

Mental Health, Documentary

📚 Related People & Topics

Noah Kahan

Noah Kahan

American singer-songwriter (born 1997)

Noah Berkenkamp Kahan ( KHAN; born January 1, 1997) is an American singer-songwriter who signed with Republic Records in 2017. His breakthrough single, "Hurt Somebody", achieved gold status in the United States and charted in multiple international markets. The single and EP of the same name precede...

View Profile → Wikipedia ↗
South by Southwest

South by Southwest

American annual film and music festival

South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences organized jointly that take place in mid-March in Austin, Texas, United States. It began in 1987 and has continued growing in both scope and size every year. In 2017, the co...

View Profile → Wikipedia ↗
Netflix

Netflix

American video streaming service

# Netflix **Netflix** is an American subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) over-the-top streaming service. It serves as the primary distribution platform for both original and acquired content, including feature films, television series, documentaries, and specials across a vast array of genres and i...

View Profile → Wikipedia ↗

Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Noah Kahan:

👤 Chappell Roan 1 shared
👤 Aaron Dessner 1 shared
👤 Great Divide 1 shared
View full profile

Mentioned Entities

Noah Kahan

Noah Kahan

American singer-songwriter (born 1997)

South by Southwest

South by Southwest

American annual film and music festival

Netflix

Netflix

American video streaming service

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This news matters because it highlights a prominent musician using his platform to destigmatize mental health issues like depression and body dysmorphia, reaching millions through Netflix's global audience. It affects fans who may struggle with similar issues, mental health advocates seeking mainstream representation, and the entertainment industry by normalizing vulnerable storytelling. The documentary's premiere at SXSW gives it cultural credibility that could influence how mental health is discussed in popular media.

Context & Background

  • Noah Kahan is a Grammy-nominated folk-pop singer-songwriter known for his viral hit 'Stick Season' and lyrics addressing mental health
  • SXSW (South by Southwest) is a major annual film, music, and technology festival in Austin, Texas that often launches influential projects
  • Body dysmorphia is a mental health disorder where people obsess over perceived flaws in their appearance, affecting about 2% of the population
  • Netflix has become a major platform for mental health documentaries like 'The Social Dilemma' and 'Stutz'
  • Celebrity mental health disclosures have increased significantly in recent years, with artists like Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato sharing their struggles

What Happens Next

The documentary will likely receive a Netflix release date announcement within weeks, followed by promotional interviews where Kahan discusses his mental health journey. Mental health organizations may partner with the project for awareness campaigns. The film could spark conversations about body image in the music industry and potentially influence how artists address mental health in their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the documentary about?

The documentary follows Noah Kahan's personal journey with depression and body dysmorphia, blending emotional storytelling with his music. It explores how he manages these mental health challenges while maintaining his career as a successful musician.

Why is SXSW an important venue for this premiere?

SXSW is a prestigious festival that attracts media attention and industry influencers, giving the documentary immediate credibility. Premiering there helps position the film as culturally significant rather than just another celebrity project.

How might this documentary impact mental health awareness?

By featuring a popular musician's authentic struggles, it could help normalize conversations about mental health, particularly among younger audiences who follow Kahan. The Netflix platform ensures global accessibility to these important discussions.

What is body dysmorphia and why is it significant in this context?

Body dysmorphia involves obsessive focus on perceived physical flaws that others often don't see. It's significant because musicians face intense public scrutiny of their appearance, making this a particularly relevant issue in the entertainment industry.

How has Noah Kahan addressed mental health in his music previously?

Kahan's lyrics frequently explore anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, with songs like 'Stick Season' and 'Dial Drunk' resonating with listeners for their raw emotional honesty about mental health struggles.

}
Original Source
Mar 16, 2026 3:44pm PT Noah Kahan Makes SXSW Laugh and Cry With Netflix Doc About Depression and Body Dysmorphia: ‘It’s Easy to Shut These Things Away’ By Ethan Shanfeld Plus Icon Ethan Shanfeld @ethanshanfeld Latest ‘Bridesmaids’ Reunion: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and Co. Make Oscars Laugh by Reading Fake Notes From Nominees 21 hours ago Chloé Zhao ‘Not Surprised’ Hulu Killed ‘Buffy’ Reboot: ‘We Keep Our Hearts Open’ to ‘What This Might Lead Us To’ 23 hours ago Vince Vaughn’s Gangster Doubles Have SXSW in Stitches at ‘Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice’ Premiere 2 days ago See All At SXSW , Noah Kahan debuted a beautiful and revealing documentary about his struggles with fame, depression and body dysmorphia. “I recommend sandwiching it between a couple MrBeast videos to soften the blow,” he joked after the screening. “It’s pretty depressing. It’s definitely not like a party piece.” That being said, the film — titled “ Noah Kahan: Out of Body ” and out on Netflix on April 13 — is surprisingly funny, with the Austin audience at the Paramount Theatre laughing out loud throughout the screening. Director Nick Sweeney captured the singer-songwriter from playing tiny venues before the pandemic to writing “Stick Season,” an ode to his home state of Vermont that made him so famous he headlined Fenway Park in 2024. Related Stories Paramount Skydance Vows to 'Engage Constructively' With Warner Bros. Discovery Board After Making $31 a Share Bid
Read full article at source

Source

variety.com

More from USA

News from Other Countries

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

🇺🇦 Ukraine