By Carissa Alcantara
Actor and director Jonah Hill has announced that he will not be promoting his new documentary film entitled "Stutz."
Although he will be stepping back from the public eye, Jonah adds that he is not going to retire from acting. The actor said that he will not promote his upcoming projects, including the Netflix comedy "You People" which he has co-written with director Kenya Harris.
Jonah's full statement:
“I have finished directing my second film, a documentary about me and my therapist which explores mental health in general called ‘Stutz.’ The whole purpose of making this film is to give therapy and the tools I’ve learned in therapy to a wide audience for private use through an entertaining film.
“Through this journey of self-discovery within the film, I have come to the understanding that I have spent nearly 20 years experiencing anxiety attacks, which are exacerbated by media appearances and public-facing events.
“I am so grateful that the film will make its world premiere at a prestigious film festival this fall, and I can’t wait to share it with audiences around the world in the hope that it will help those struggling. However, you won’t see me out there promoting this film, or any of my upcoming films, while I take this important step to protect myself. If I made myself sicker by going out there and promoting it, I wouldn’t be acting true to myself or to the film.
“I usually cringe at letters or statements like this but I understand that I am of the privileged few who can afford to take time off. I won’t lose my job while working on my anxiety. With this letter and with ‘Stutz,’ I’m hoping to make it more normal for people to talk and act on this stuff. So they can take steps towards feeling better and so that the people in their lives might understand their issues more clearly.
“I hope the work will speak for itself, and I’m grateful to my collaborators, my business partners and to all reading this for your understanding and support.”