Jimmy Barnes just broke another Australian record (thanks to his new film)

After its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival, the new feature Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy was released on 220 Australian cinema screens last week, making it the biggest documentary release since Michael Jackson’s This Is It back in 2009, and the biggest ever release for an Australian documentary.

From acclaimed director Mark Joffe (Jack Irish, House of Hancock, The Man Who Sued God), Working Class Boy tells the raw, emotional and powerful upbringing of the well known Australian performer. From the streets of Glasgow to his South Australian upbringing and traumatic memories of domestic violence, poverty and alcoholism, nothing is held back. Jimmy himself admitted he was nervous to see his life portrayed on the silver screen, but knew he had chosen the right man for the job.

You can check out the trailer for the film below:

Jimmy commented on the release stating, Like so many Australians the media images of farmers in crisis have made my family and me want to do something to help with drought relief. There are lots of benefit gigs and other things being discussed right now and we’ll do what we can for those in due course. In the meantime, as an initial gesture, we wanted to let you know that we’ll be donating all of this year’s royalties from the “Working Class Boy” soundtrack to drought relief charities”.

He then added, “I trust Mark artistically and emotionally, we’ve been through a lot together and he’s a close, dear friend. I knew he would do a good job and to be honest, he’s exceeded my expectations.”

The documentary also features musically-themed moments from Cold Chisel, with duets from Barnes’ children Mahalia Barnes and David Campbell, along with brother-in-law Diesel.

Working Class Boy is also based on Jimmy’s acclaimed memoir of the same name, with the book taking home the 2017 ABIA Award for Australia’s ‘Biography of The Year,’ all while taking the number 1 spot for a whopping 16 weeks. To this date, the book has sold over 250,000 copies, cementing its status as one of the biggest autobiographies in Australian history.

Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy is produced by CJZ with funding from both Screen Australia and Create NSW. The film is out now in cinemas thanks to a limited release from Universal Pictures.

The soundtrack, also titled Working Class Boy is also out now at participating retailers from Bloodlines Music, with all royalties being donated to help the recent drought relief efforts across many Australian farms.

You can also catch Jimmy Barnes live at one of the upcoming shows:

Saturday, 22 September 2018
Royal Melbourne Show
Tickets available now from www.royalshow.com.au

RED HOT SUMMER TOUR 2019

Saturday, 12 January 2019
Mary Ann Reserve, Mannum SA
Sounds By The River
* SOLD OUT *

Sunday, 13 January 2019
Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley WA
Tickets available now from Ticketek | 13 28 49

Saturday, 19 January 2019
Mornington Racecourse, Mornington VIC
* SOLD OUT *

Sunday, 20 January 2019
Mornington Racecourse, Mornington VIC
Tickets available now from Ticketmaster | 136 100

Saturday 26 January 2019
Country Club Lawns, Launceston TAS
Tickets available now from Ticketmaster | 136 100

Sunday, 27 January 2019
North Gardens, Ballarat VIC
Tickets available now from Ticketmaster | 136 100

Saturday, 2 February 2019
Roche Estate, Hunter Valley NSW
Tickets available now from Ticketmaster | 136 100

Sunday, 3 February 2019
Bella Vista Farm, Baulkham Hills NSW
Tickets available now from Ticketmaster | 136 100

Saturday, 9 February 2019
Sandstone Point Hotel, Bribie Island QLD
* SOLD OUT *

Sunday, 10 February 2019
Sandstone Point Hotel, Bribie Island QLD
Tickets available now from Ticketmaster | 136 100

Matthew Arcari

Matthew Arcari is the games and technology editor at The AU Review. You can find him on Twitter at @sirchunkee, or at the Dagobah System, chilling with Luke and Yoda.