- Stream an Exclusive Track from Upcoming Earl Scruggs Tribute Foggy Mountain Special
- Taylor Swift makes #11 of Forbes' "Most Powerful Celebrities". Inexplicably The Triggerman left off the list. ;)
- If You Missed It: Willie Nelson on Jimmy Fallon
- ...and Willie with Son Lukas Playing Stevie Ray Vaughan on Fallon
- Willie Nelson's Guitar Has Sentimental Wounds
- Is Facebook a passing fad? Nearly half of Americans think so
- Listen to new Willie Nelson album in its entirety (click on album cover at top)
- Ray Wylie Hubbard Announces New Tour Dates
- Trampled By Turtles Perform on Roof of CNN
- Taylor Swift, Jewel and Zooey Deschanel Pretending to be Legends
- Country music is losing its family friendly identity
- Plowboy Records Forms to Promote Legacy of Eddy Arnold
- "Nashville" Goes Hollywood with new show (see trailer)
- How You Are Helping Facebook Made Billions
- Jack White kicks off Ryman two-night stand with a bang
- Ricky Skaggs celebrates 30 years as a Opry member
- Lee Baines III & The Glory Fires Release "There is a Bomb in Gilead"
26
Hank III Disses New White Family Movie
But he admits he has never watched it.
Hank Williams III appears in The Wild & Wonderful Whites of West Virginia in commentary scenes, as well as in music performances with Jesco White shot outside of Hank Jr’s cabin. But in a video interview with “Superskum,” he said about the project:
“Well I really don’t support that movie man. I mean, they promoted more the dark side–the addiction, the bad stuff–they didn’t really promote the creative side of the Whites. And this is no disrespect to Jesco and the family at all. Its more of the people that made it should have concentrated a little bit more on the creativity, and the good vibes that the White family bring to the table. Yeah, we all have problems with addiction, but they made that a little too dark for me. I’ve only seen a couple of clips of it, just enough to rub me raw.” (see the full interview below)
When the promo for the white movie first came out (which includes a brief appearance from Hank III), some people wondered if the movie exploits the Whites. Some have also cited Johnny Knoxville’s involvement in the movie as a concern, though Knoxville was mostly a behind-the-scenes business-arena partner, and did not participate in the filming, directing, or on-site production.
I had my own concerns about the movie promo when it came out, but cautioned it was just an advertising tool to garner interest in the movie, and that we should wait to see the full movie before passing judgment. The film earned a favorable review from me once I had a chance to see it, and in my opinion, it was not as exploitative as possibly the promo video might imply.
Have YOU seen the movie? What is YOUR opinion?
The Wild & Wonderful Whites can be seen On Demand through Amazon by CLICKING HERE.
You can also see FREE extra footage from the movie from Amazon:
Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia Extra – Whites’ Strife
Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia Extra – Meet the Whites
39 Comments to “Hank III Disses New White Family Movie”
Leave a comment
Support SCM and start
your Amazon shopping here
I watched this interview with him about a week ago, and It kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.
I’ve seen the movie, and I enjoyed the movie. I don’t see how someone can comment on the film without having seen it.
Yes, the movie did capture the dark side of the family, but for good reason. Lets face it, in the time that the film was being shot it wasn’t all sunshine and unicorns in boone county.
It was sad, funny at times, hard to watch at others, and it made you feel good to see Kirk come out of rehab at the end. That’s a positive thing.
If Hank doesn’t like the film, or doesn’t want to support, that’s fine. I think he’s a little bit one sided in his view of the family, my self, but that can happen with people you are close to. But at least watch it in full, so you can form an opinion based on the whole thing, not just a couple clips.
i haven’t seen it yet so no comment…
I saw it, thought it was great….
Blue Ribbon,
After reading the first sentence of your comment, I have to say I don’t really support your comment, man. I really didn’t read the whole comment, but I read enough for it to rub me raw.
Seriously, I can understand being turned off by the promo. Really this is the movie’s greatest sin. I can understand why they did it. You need a bunch of crazy stuff to get the herd’s attention, but it has alienated the core crowd that this movie appeals to.
But still, Hank III is IN the movie. That is at least worth 90 minutes of his time, no?
I seen it and did not really care for it. If i want to see that all i got to do is look around. I payed thinking i would see alot more of Jesco and his art. Were was the Wonderful? 99.9% Wild 1% Wonderful my 2 cents…..
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by retrokustom, The Triggerman. The Triggerman said: Hank III Disses New White Family Movie: http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/hank-iii-disses-new-white-family-movie [...]
I have not watched the movie yet fully intend on it soon. But i honestly never let other peoples opinions on things judge mine just because hank III doesn’t like something does not mean im aromatically not gonna like it and their are to many people like that out their today i support hank but i think his opinons on things suck sometimes… also as far as Johnny knoxville’s involvement in it COOOOL, He does his part in this movement he is a good ole boy just like most of us. He got rich by doing stupid shit but more power to him. Just because some has money doesn’t mean we should fucking shun them i herd a story about the jack ass crew showing up to a Bob Wayne show one time and damn near buying them outta Merch to show support… and that is straight from bobs mouth.. Johnny Knoxville helping with this film is a fucking good thing. i should just shut my comments tend to piss people off on here
He explained why and that he watched enough to form his opinion. I do agree about the need for cutting out the middle man. There are way too many corporate suits getting rich and the artist starving and then you have the mega rich bands complaining about the fans? Really? The fans who support them? That’s enough to make you sick. I’ve been to many a show and Hank III is the only one who stays until he’s met and talked with every single fan that wants to meet him after his show. Now that is dedication to the fan. As far as the White movie, I haven’t seen it myself but what one person will like and be moved by, another will not. Just the way it is.
I’VE NOT SAW THE MOVIE,ONLY THE PROMO SO NO COMMENT EXCEPT I’VE SEEN PROMO’S AND THAT WAS ALL THE GOOD STUFF IT WAS REPRESENTING TO GET YOU TO WATCH IT..THEN THE MOVIE WAS NO GOOD..THE PROMO SHOWED ALL THAT WAS INTERESTING..I WILL HAVE TO WATCH THE WONDERFUL WHITES TO SEE IF IT WAS WONDERFUL..
Nix,
One of the criticisms of the movie before it even came out was that we didn’t need another movie about Jesco. If they had made it about Jesco, there would have been people complaining about that too. The premise was that they would follow the White family for a year. What ensued that was movie worthy was really out of the maker’s control, and it happened to not involve Jesco much.
I do agree though that they could have taken a different perspective if they wanted and focused on the positive. I don’t know how much of a movie that would have been though.
I saw the film and thought it was exploitive. But I thought as a film piece it was well done and I enjoyed it as such. I laughed, I teared up and I wondered how people live like that.
The film clearly concentrated on the White Family of the present, not on the talent of the past. I think thats ok because you get back what you project and part of what they projected made it into the film. I don’t know what was left out but I am sure there was plenty that was good and bad.
I do think they could have included much more on how the family came into notoriety in the media. It wasn’t because of their rap sheet but because of D. Ray’s dancing. It has been over 20 years since the original doc Talking Feet was released – alot can happen in that amount of time and has for this family. I think that is what Hank III was basically saying. The film could give the average viewer the sense that Hank III was only hanging with these people because they are wild. I think Hank III genuinely was interested in this family because of the talent and of the determination to live free. They are a symbol for whats wrong, and in some ways whats right about America. We also don’t know what the producers told III about how they wanted to portray the family. Maybe he was under a different impression about the film himself. Who knows…..
Bottom line is that we all need to be responsible for ourselves. We can’t blame dickhouse productions, johnny knoxville or anyone for the failings of another individual. They filmed what they needed for their project and the Whites gave them the content and permission. I don’t feel sorry for the White family. But I do feel compassion for their situation. Their dsyfunctional family ways have root in every family, of every color, by every name, all across our nation and beyond. We all know someone who’s been involved with the law, or had a family member/friend addicted to something or watched the people we love make really bad decisions… maybe people don’t like the film because it reflects the part of daily life we don’t want to, or can’t, or won’t be bothered to fix. Maybe it shows us where we have failed as a country with the education system, and support programs, and the legal system. Or maybe it shows a group of people who have had the same opportunity to live a good life and chose to go a different path….. you decide.
Denise,
Couldn’t agree more. What Hank said in the second part of the interview was spot on and inspiring. Hank has been showing people the way for years and doing it his way. Every up and coming artist needs to watch that and take those words to heart. Hank is a genuine Outlaw, and he’s been out front and outspoken for a decade now.
I just frickin missed it playing in Nashville. I need to see this.
man, i liked the movie, yeah it did show a lot of the dark side and all that shit… it really fuckin did… but those of us with links to the coal culture can sift through all that bs…i will say though that Kirk’s story is very moving in the film…and all yall, she has slipped up and like a good trooper in recovery turned herself in out of guilt which shows recovery on the horizon for her… keep her in yer wishes and prayers yall… and III is right it barely shows Jesco at all, and they chopped it up to make Maime look wild beyond wild…
I have not seen it yet but I wanted to say DU made a great point for all sides. Life would be pretty boring if everyone liked the same things and everyone has a right to his/her own opinion. I will make up my mind based on my beliefs when I see the film.
There is one thing I find odd. In the first version I saw at a film festival, they showed a picture of Birtie Mae White and all the kids she’s raised. It’s a really great shot because you see this beaming woman surrounded by all these kids (she raised over twenty-four).
When I saw it on PPV, I didn’t see that picture (unless I missed it). Maybe I’m sentimental but that picture was one of my favorite parts of the movie and if it didn’t make final cut, that sucks.
Gillian,
I’m pretty sure that was in the version I saw on Amazon.
I watched the film on Amazon a couple weeks back and I found it both moving and slightly exploitative. However, a documentary of any kind is going to show what the filmmaker discovers. In this case, the current White family is pretty fucked up. Not to say they didn’t show any positives, but overall you’re gonna walk away with an image of the Whites that is pretty despairing. It IS a sad story, going back to D. Ray.
I felt the film was well done and I personally am becoming a fan of Johnny Knoxville the more projects he gets involved in. Hank III may know more about the details of this project than any of us do though and may not have been happy with the way it was handled.
WOW! LOTTSA PRO AND CON HERE! Thanks for the links.
I agree with Hank III! In my opinion of what Hank III said is that…he doesn’t support “THAT” movie. Therfore, I’m guessing he does not agree with THOSE who…produced, directed and edited “THIS” film. I did not hear anything negative towards The Whites!
Judging a film by a few clips is like me judging his album after listening to a song or two. It’s bullshit! I thought that Jesco and Hank together was amazing … don’t know how it should be more ‘positive’. Have you ever been to those parts? I think that the filmakers actually opened up a door into their lives, allowed us to look in, and feel for the troubles that face them daily. It’s not ‘Dancing Outlaw part 3′ ……. clearly it’s about ‘The Whites’.
Must have been that pill he took
The big question is, has anyone involved with the film been upset enough about the final product to attempt to have themselves removed from ANY association with it?
No, I haven’t seen this movie, I have a movie here about the life of Jesco White and called WHITE LIGHTNIN’. I have seen it in a record store in the video section classificated as a Horror movie, I can’t have an opinion about THE WILD & WONDERFUL WHITES OF WEST-VIRGINIA because i haven’t seen it yet, I first need to get me a copy, maybe at Amazone, but I almost can’t imagine that it would be darker than the one I have seen, have you seen White Lightnin’?
There is also another movie The Dancing Outlaw I haven’t been able to find yet, I am sure I will someday.
I’ve seen The Dancing Outlaw, and it felt like a bunch of pointy-nosed PBS intellectuals were letting the backwoods hillbilly make an ass out of himself. It did not delve into the causes of the problems of the White family or West Virginia. It was still entertaining, but I can’t see how someone would call the new movie exploitative, and the old one not.
I still need to see White Lightning.
D. Ray was first introduced to the mainstream on 1987′s PBS documentary “Talking Feet: Solo Southern Dance: Buck, Flatfoot and Tap”. Talking Feet is the first documentary to feature flatfoot, buck, hoedown, and rural tap dancing, the styles of solo Southern dancing which are a companion to traditional old-time music and on which modern clog dancing is based. It features 24 traditional dancers videotaped on location in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Honestly why should we even care about this movie? Is it because Shelton said we should by writing a song about this family? The superstar of this family was murdered and the spokesperson is an idiot that beats his wife or at least threatens and claims to. I’ve never seen the movie but I’ve seen Jesco spewing threats and acting like an idiot on previous movies and interviews. What is great about that? Why should we want to support that? Being “free” and doing what you want to shouldn’t mean being violent and unpredictable to people who can’t defend theirselves. Jesco and his family aren’t icons.
A friend told me about White Lightnin about a month ago and I finally watched it last night. Goddamn that was awesome. It’s only LOOSELY based on Jesco but it’s rad. I describe like if Aranofsky made a movie loosely based on Jesco ala Requiem for a Dream.
And it’s about damn time someone used Hasil Adkins music for drug sequences in a film.
My ex-wife is from Boone County, WV, and is somehow related to the Whites. We watched Dancing Outlaw just before the split, and when I first heard Hank IIIs song D. Ray White a couple months later all the hair on the back of my neck stood up as I realized what the song was about.
Such interesting debate here and I think every point made is a valid one. At the end of the day, it’s a movie created for entertainment – pure and simple. I’ve not yet been able to access the film but I’ve seen the trailer, which I think is masterful. How could you NOT want to see the film after seeing that? Just because it’s a ‘documentary’ doesn’t necessarily make it particularly factual or truthful. It’s the director’s vision – it’s their ‘art’. Exploitation or not, surely personal responsibility must play a part here. The White family clearly consented to having a film made about them and they would have had their own reasons for doing this – whether it be for money, publicity, fame. Who knows?
The thing about the trailer is that Hank III himself has trained us all to be like attack dogs against people taking advantage of elements of Southern culture. It worked perfectly to get the masses attention, but played right into the critics hands, including Hank III. That trailer is this movie’s blessing and its curse.
Exactly! That’s what is so masterful about it. The subject matter is fascinating to those of us interested in southern culture. But we were already going to go see it, they had a captive audience with us. That doco would have had a budget in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Whoever invested in that film needs to see a return so it’s important it finds some mainstream appeal – hence the “Let’s show those crazy hillbillies doing crazy shit so Average Joe out there can watch it and laugh his tits off at them”. The decision to take the trailer in that direction may not have even been the director’s one. The Production Company very well may have taken the initiative there.
Oh dude, don’t even get me started on defending shit I’m into! I could make a full time career out of it. Between loving the American south, country music, owning chihuahuas, driving an old American car, working in television and being 37 and single. I pretty much spend my entire life defending all those decisions. Ha!
I had found this movie on netflix early this morning and I’ve watched it twice. Aside from the shootings and the stabbings, the Whites are definately one family I think we can all hang with.
Hank III definately has a point.He probably saw “Dancing Outlaw” which focuses almost entirely on Jesco and his tap dancing.It’s a great little film and if you’re interested in The Whites you have to see it.
Jesco is really the one who brought the family national attention.And that was because of his dancing,not the family dysfunction.Hank knows there is more music and art in the family than is depicted in “Wild and Wonderful”.
Nontheless,it is an outstanding film.I believe it is entirely appropriate to show this side of american life.True,much of it is not pretty.But it also true that throughout the history of the US the outlaw life has helped push the boundries of personal liberty – to the benefit of us all.So I hope Jesco and the Whites rock on! They are bein’ who they wanna be,gristle and all.
May we all be so lucky.
The movie was a bit depressing. Looked like W Virginia is a 3rd world country exploited by big corporations(coal owners) Hopelessness seems to be major theme.
i watched the movie last night for the fist time an it kinda didnt set well. i mean yeah we all have drug problems an stuff, but the way they made the movie seem is as if everybody in wv was like that, an i live in wv, an not all of us is like that. i mean yeah the whites are a little wilder, and stuff but i think they should have showed differnt sides of the faimly
Stumbled across the movie. Never heard of the White family or Boone county WV. It was like watching a train wreck, wanted to turn it but watched on in disbelief that this was a real place and these were real people. I have nothing but contempt and loathing for this entire family (past and present). They are a prime example of what is wrong with America. They are not crazy, they are lazy useless drains on the decent working class of the nation and should be sterilized before they breed more little scum. Why are the adults not in jail for the way they are raising the kids. TAKE ALL THE KIDS AWAY, before that dumbass family messes them up beyond repair. If I were from WV I would be embarassed and mad as hell that my tax dollars support such a worthless group of people. The old man taught all the kids the behavior you see, the mother allowed it and the law state government should put an end to their free loading lifestyle. What pieces of crap!
i saw the movie and i agree with hankIII. I FEEL THAT THE JEWISH FILM MAKERS EXPLOITED THE WHITES AND REALLY ARE SIMPLY MAKING FUN OF THE SOUTHERN MAN! SOMEONE SHOULDVE RUN THESE SCUMBAG MONEY GRUBBING JEWS OUT OF BOONE CO.
I am from WV and used to work in Boone County. It is a beautiful area in many respects, but one does also feel an unseen gloominess. One of the striking features of the presentation was the utter inability of religion, versus the gospel, to make a meaningful positive difference in a life. Several of the White family could spout Bible doctrines, but then laughed at them or ignored them. The Gospel on the other hand, realizing in your mind and heart the love of God and having a personal relationship with Him based on His grace, was in little evidence with the exception of Kirk. She seemed to actually love God and was struggling to put aside the shackles to walk with Him.