“I like to immerse myself in stories that inspire; I have seen first-hand that honest stories can shift perceptions, change laws, transform our culture and even save lives.”
Michelle Esrick is an award-winning filmmaker, poet and social activist. Her most recent film, Cracked Up, The Darrell Hammond Story had it’s theatrical premiere in September 2019 and was released on Netflix May 1st, 2020.
The Hollywood Reporter, Frank Scheck wrote “A moving and powerful portrait of trauma and recovery, Cracked Up will likely prove as therapeutic for many viewers as it clearly is for Hammond himself”.
In Cracked Up, we witness the impact that childhood trauma can have across a lifetime through the incredibly courageous and candid personal story of comedian, actor and Saturday Night Live legend Darrell Hammond. With her unyielding commitment to not just raising awareness but to the actual implementation of trauma-informed care, Esrick, along with Hammond, made her way to the nation’s Capital where they screened Cracked Up for members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Following the showing, in discussion with the legislators and their staff, Esrick and Hammond reinforced the compelling statement that childhood trauma is a root cause of addiction – particularly relevant in addressing the enormity of the opioid crisis.
Esrick is proud to have played a role in the adding of nine provisions for trauma-informed care to the “Support for Patients and Communities Act” which was signed into law.
And Maureen Seaberg of Psychology Today wrote, “I came to learn the film is much more than a film. It’s not just a movie; it’s a movement.”
Esrick directed and produced The Wavy Gravy Movie: Saint Misbehavin’ – Executive produced by the late legendary, Academy-Award winning filmmaker, D. A. Pennebaker.
The New York Times, Stephen Holden wrote “Saint Misbehavin’ is an unabashed love letter to the world that defies the cynicism of our age.”
Exploring the man behind the countercultural icon, The Wavy Gravy Movie showcases the humanity and intelligence of this Holy Fool and his devotion to basic human needs. The film originally premiered in 2009 at SXSW and was then seen on Showtime, PBS and Netflix beginning in 2011. On September 24, 2019, Kino Lorber acquired and re-released this much beloved and multi-award-winning film on Amazon Prime. This 10th Anniversary Special Edition DVD includes over fifty-five minutes of extra scenes and other bonus features including two new interviews with Wavy Gravy and his wife Jahanara Romney. Also included is new audio commentary with Wavy Gravy, Jahanara Romney, and director Michelle Esrick!
Esrick Executive Produced the Netflix Original film, Ram Dass, Going Home, featuring spiritual teacher and best-selling author Ram Dass who reflects on love, life and dying. Widely acclaimed, the film was short-listed for a 2017 Academy Award.
In 2018, Esrick directed the acclaimed music video, Let’s Rise! which CNN dubbed the anthem for the March for Our Lives Movement in protest of the gun violence epidemic in America which contributes to adverse childhood experiences for the nation’s school kids. Seen worldwide by over three-hundred-fifty million viewers, Let’s Rise! ranked among the most important protest songs of the year. CNN featured Esrick and her work in a 2018 year-end television special.
In May 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Esrick created a powerful and inspiring virtual series called Cracked Up, The Evolving Conversation which candidly explores through intimate conversations the many different manifestations of childhood trauma and its long term effects such as addictions, suicide, anxiety & depression, etc. as well as how we recover ourselves, help others and change systems to better serve our communities. Featuring leaders in the field of trauma and luminaries such as, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Dr. Gabor Maté, Dr.Jacob Ham, Jane Stevens, Lyn Morris, Darrell Hammond, Jane Fonda, V (formerly known as Eve Ensler), and more.
“The Evolving Conversation series is life changing and life saving!”
—Cathy Malchiodi, PHD, Childhood Trauma Expert
Currently, Michelle is in production on a new television series based on the life and work of Relational Life therapist, author and thought leader Terry Real. The series, “Being Real,” is a compelling exploration of the complex web of relationships between individuals and society. Through examining issues like patriarchy, gender roles, cancel culture, and toxic individualism, the series challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of these concepts and their impact on our relationships and culture as a whole. By shining a light on these issues, Being Real underscores the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how we relate to one another, making ever clear the fact that our very survival as a species depends on it.
