In early 2019, filmmaker Jason O'Brien was dealing with a great deal of personal stress and heartbreak. He had divorced his wife of 23 years the previous year, alienated his daughter because of the divorce, and had recently seen the end of a 2 1/2 year relationship with a woman who he thought he was meant to be with forever. At one of the darkest times of his life, he remembered how during a previous stressful time of his life, his journeys to make his documentary film Cuddle ended up saving his life. He felt there was more to say about the cuddle movement in the years since the first film, and bravely turned the camera around on himself to document a very painful and personal journey to heal. His travels in the summer of 2019 took him to Virginia, Chicago, Florida, Los Angeles, and New York City. There were so many new people now involved in the cuddle movement (Cuddle Sanctuary, Cuddlist, and more), and his desire: to tell their story, while they help him tell his.
The brand new documentary Cuddle Me picks up after the introduction of the cuddle services in the first film, and shows one person's journey of healing that can be had in one of the most talked about and controversial human movements ever.
In April of 2021, the film was picked up for distribution and can currently be seen on FIVE different streaming services, including Amazon Prime! Click one of the links below to be taken to their sites to view the film today, or download the apps on your Smart TV!
In 2014, Jason O'Brien set out to document the emerging
trend of cuddle parties and cuddle businesses. He traveled from Birmingham, Alabama
to Madison, Wisconsin to San Francisco, California to Boulder, Colorado, to Rochester
and New York City, New York. The first film shed a light on a very important movement
struggling to receive mainstream acceptance.
View Trailer
Cuddle was picked up for distribution in 2015, and is
currently available to rent or buy on several streaming platforms, including YouTube Movies,
Google Play, Kanopy, and more!
YouTube Movies
Google Play
Kanopy
You can also purchase a Special Edition DVD of the film that includes an
exclusive blooper reel, and the music video for the original song "Close"! Purchase
a copy today at Amazon by clicking here!
Cuddle was an official selection at two film festivals before its distribution deal, and in one of the proudest moments for filmmaker Jason O'Brien, the film is now part of the online training that is required by the official Cuddle Party organization and Cuddlist in training their practitioners!