Working Class Man

On Stage and off-stage, the wild journey of Jimmy Barnes is Australia’s greatest rock’n’roll story. Now, based on his hit book Working Class Man, Jimmy tells the next chapter in his gripping tale.

From the excess and success of Cold Chisel to the ups and downs of his solo years, this documentary is a spellbinding and searingly honest reflection on success, addiction, class, domestic violence, love, marriage, family, aging, tolerance, healing, re-birth and – in its darkest moments – death.

Working Class Man pulls together major themes in Australian society stretching from the 1960s till today. They are expressed through Jimmy’s personal story and the extraordinary way he has maintained a unique and powerful connection with a vast audience through every surprising step of his journey.

Jimmy’s audience felt keenly connected to him in the 70s & 80s and remain deeply so today. To hear Jimmy tell his story is to understand this connection. When he was wildly out of control on stage in his twenties the audience instinctively knew he was one of them, they felt his anger, they felt his authenticity and subconsciously they knew that inner demons drove Jimmy’s behaviour, and often their own.

It took Jimmy 30 more years to confront those demons, they nearly killed him on the way. When he did face his repressed intergenerational trauma he took his whole audience with him on a brave and epic public national journey of healing. Leading men and families in confronting discussions about domestic violence, abandonment and addiction.

As we sit here today the national conversation has evolved, Jimmy has evolved, but the authenticity and connection remains as true and powerful as ever. It’s just that now his connection is also about the veggie garden, BBQ recipes, hip replacements and joyful kids and grandkids rather than roaring rebellion, volume and vodka.

This is also a love story, but not a fairy tale. Jim’s love for his wife Jane, her love and commitment to him and to creating and nurturing a family with him. That is what saved him in the end.

Working Class Man is a story with thrilling highs and terrifying lows, all told through Jimmy’s eyes with his trademark honesty and insight. This is a story about how it’s never too late to try to put things right, and just when you thought the biggest dramas of life were all behind you, a final hurdle awaits.