Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405 (2016)

In the vibrant and chaotic heart of Los Angeles, the brilliant yet tormented artist Mindy Alper, aged 56, carves a niche for her extraordinary art, showcased by the city's top-tier galleries. Her life, a tempestuous journey through acute anxiety, mental disorders, and crippling depression, has seen her endure electroshock therapy, institutionalization, and a haunting decade of silence. Yet, within this whirlwind of emotional turmoil, Mindy's heightened self-awareness fuels her artistic genius, enabling her to craft a lifetime's worth of work that vividly articulates her emotional state with striking psychological acuity. "Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405" takes us on an intimate exploration of Mindy's life, utilizing interviews, dramatizations, and an in-depth study of her artwork, including an impressive eight-and-a-half-foot papier-mache bust of her cherished psychiatrist. From her early childhood sketches to her present-day masterpieces, we witness Mindy's transformative journey from a life shrouded in darkness and isolation to one illuminated by love, trust, and support. This candid portrait of resilience and the healing power of art invites viewers to delve deep into one woman's extraordinary life, echoing with the universal human themes of struggle, survival, and the triumphant spirit of creativity.

Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405 is a documentary movie featuring Mindy Alper and directed by Frank Stiefel.

It is possible to buy Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405 on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies and YouTube.