André Ricciardi calls himself a “f—ing idiot” for skipping the colonoscopy he was due at 50. That choice led to terminal colon cancer and the documentary André Is an Idiot, premiering in theaters March 6.
At a Glance
- Ricciardi ignored screening at 50, later bled weekly and lost 30 lbs before diagnosis
- The film won both the Audience Award and the Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award at Sundance
- Wife Janice voices anticipatory grief; Ricciardi says he fears for those left behind
- Why it matters: A frank, funny warning about routine screening that could save lives
Ricciardi, an advertising creative, felt fit until unexplained weight loss and rectal bleeding sent him to a doctor. “I felt like I was getting into the best shape of my life,” he recalls. “Turns out I had cancer.”
Director Tony Benna tells News Of Losangeles exclusively, “I knew from the start that André Is an Idiot was not going to be about cancer. It was going to be about André.”
A Legacy of Laughter
Benna followed Ricciardi through treatment as the filmmaker cracked jokes about chemo slimming him down and mused about donating his body to television. Planned last words: “I’m going to get you, God.”
The documentary captures:
- Hospital-room stand-up routines
- Banter about head transplants and photo ops
- Raw conversations with Janice on facing the end
“In true André form, this film embraces the messiness of being alive and chooses laughter over fear,” Benna says.
Family Fallout
Cameras also linger on loved ones absorbing the inevitable. Janice admits, “I’ve had all this anticipatory grief and now it’s really happening.” Ricciardi counters, “I’m not afraid of dying. I’m afraid for the people that I’m leaving behind.”
Festival Triumph
After its Sundance debut, the feature collected:
| Award | Category |
|---|---|
| Audience Award | U.S. Documentary |
| Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award | U.S. Documentary |
Amanda S. Bennett reported the double win underscored audience hunger for honest, humorous takes on terminal illness.
Screening Details
André Is an Idiot opens theatrically on March 6 at Film Forum in New York City, with wider rollout expected.
Key Takeaways
- Missed screening at 50 led to advanced cancer diagnosis
- Documentary balances dark humor with emotional truth
- Sundance success signals strong public reception
- Film serves as both love letter and cautionary tale
