“…hysterical, pee-your-pants-funny and tragically touching…”
“I don’t want anymore bullshit from anyone and that includes me! No more!!!” Angrier words may have never been spoken on internet video than these. This collection of outtakes from an old industrial film features a frustrated old gentleman stumbling to just get through dialog that he himself wrote. He’s clearly having the worst day in his life and his expletive-laden rants have become the stuff of internet video legend. The video was originally passed among collectors on VHS tape decades ago, then made its way onto YouTube, the place where the pain and embarassment of others become hilariously entertaining. The millions who watched it made Jeck Rebney a reluctant internet star. But what is this man really like? Why was he so angry? And how did this entertaining video become so public? Who is Jack Rebney and where is he today?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSWUWPx2VeQ[/youtube]
Like many, Winnebago Man’s director and University of Texas film professor Ben Steinbauer became obsessed with this video, even showing it to his students. Ben goes on a personal journey to find Jack, first doing searches himself, then hiring a private detective who tracks down one of Jack’s many PO boxes. After sending letter after letter, Ben finally receives a call from Jack himself who just wants to be left alone, but he might consent to a short interview. The director’s search finds 78 year-old Jack living alone in a cabin in the woods near the top of a mountain battling his ailing health along with a series of seemingly lifelong personal struggles.
Winnebago Man is hysterical, pee-your-pants-funny and a tragically touching look at the the hidden pain of reluctant viral video stars on YouTube. Director Steinbauer provides a painful portrait getting to the root of the angriest man in the world’s inner demons while entertaining the God damn fucking shit piss out of you! (I say this, of course, in the spirit of Jack’s own words.)
Jack himself actually attended Saturday night’s hottest ticket at the world premiere at SXSW to two standing ovations. The angriest man in the world broke down in tears during the Q&A session. Who knew that so much anger would result in so much love and affection from so many who never knew him? Well, now you know Jack, the world loves you. The result is a film that provides a long overdue and much-needed big hug for Jack. Thanks for laughs sir… you are now truly loved. Now smile you dumbshit!
by Chris Gore
