For Laura Dern, Is This Thing On? is far more than a film—it’s a love letter. In her interview discussing the project, she describes it as a genuine homage to New York City, a place where performance, history, and raw human energy constantly collide. The city isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living character that shapes every beat of the story.
That reverence for legacy carries over into Dern’s emotional appearance honoring Carol Burnett at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Helping immortalize Burnett with her handprints, Dern speaks about lineage, gratitude, and the responsibility of carrying creative history forward. It’s a moment that ties directly into the themes of Is This Thing On?: voices, memory, and the act of showing up.
The Behind the Mic featurette deepens that understanding, revealing the film’s intimate production process. We see how performance, sound, and silence work together—how vulnerability replaces spectacle. Dern’s presence anchors the project with warmth and sincerity, reinforcing the idea that storytelling doesn’t need grandeur to resonate.
Together, these three pieces paint a portrait of an artist deeply connected to place, people, and purpose. A perfect companion for a reflective, culture-loving movie night.
