Oscar-winning short film profiles LA artist Mindy Alper
At the 2018 Oscars, the Best Documentary Short Subject award went to 'Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405,' a film about Los Angeles artist Mindy Alper. The 56-year-old has struggled with mental illness throughout her life, using drawing and sculpture as her primary means of communication and expression. The documentary blends live footage, interviews, and animated drawings to connect Alper's art with her life. The film competed against 'Loving Vincent,' a painted feature about Vincent van Gogh, and 'Faces Places,' a road movie collaboration between street artist JR and filmmaker Agnès Varda.
Key facts
- The film won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 2018 Academy Awards.
- Mindy Alper is a 56-year-old artist from Los Angeles.
- Alper has struggled with mental illness her entire life.
- Drawing and sculpture are Alper's primary means of communication.
- The film combines live footage, interviews, and animated drawings.
- Competing films included 'Loving Vincent' and 'Faces Places'.
- 'Loving Vincent' is a painted feature about Vincent van Gogh.
- 'Faces Places' was a collaboration between JR and Agnès Varda.
Entities
Artists
- Mindy Alper
- Vincent van Gogh
- JR
- Agnès Varda
Institutions
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States