The Creation of 'Pee-wee Himself' Following the Death of Paul Reubens
Paul Reubens, the acclaimed actor best known for his character Pee-wee Herman, passed away unexpectedly on July 31, 2023. Documentary filmmaker Matt Wolf, who had been working with Reubens on the ambitious two-part project "Pee-wee as Himself," received the shocking news a year into their collaboration. The documentary, now streaming on HBO Max, was the culmination of over 40 hours of interviews with Reubens.
The project had faced challenges earlier due to creative control disputes between the two parties, but they managed to find a way forward just before Reubens' tragic demise. Wolf had planned one last interview for the first week of August, but instead, he received a series of text messages that left him trembling. The two had discussed Reubens' childhood, his complex relationship with fame, his ambitions, his dedication to Pee-wee Herman, his sexuality, and his arrests – except for his six-year battle against cancer, which they had not disclosed during their conversations.
Speaking about the unexpected turn of events, Wolf said, "I went to work the day after Paul's death. I spent the entire night reading through the 1,500-page transcript of our interviews and was struck by the significance and meaning that emerged as I realized he had privately pondered mortality." Wolf acknowledged the unique situation, understanding that it was an essential part of the film's story and that the stakes were the highest he had ever faced.
For the following year, Wolf would wake up every day reminding himself, "You must not drop the ball. Stand your ground." He described the process as the most challenging and emotional experience of his filmmaking career, one he might never encounter again. Reubens had expressed a wish to direct his own documentary, valuing creative control. However, everyone around him seemed to think it was a bad idea. It took over a year for Reubens and Wolf, whose film credits include documentaries on cellist Arthur Russell and news archivist Marion Stokes, to connect and deliberate on the matter. Even after Reubens agreed to let Wolf direct the project, he remained resistant at times.
Early on in their collaboration, Reubens seemed to rebel against the process, releasing tension, hesitating, teasing Wolf, sometimes being confrontational – but always in a playful, winking manner. Wolf found himself frustrated, thinking, "How will I ever manage this? This is the most resistant interview subject I've ever encountered." However, he later realized that this resistance formed an essential part of the portrait. It showed Reubens' discomfort and insecurity about truly revealing and sharing himself.
The result was a collaborative effort, according to Wolf, but one where he maintained editorial control. It was not intended to be a damning piece, but neither was it intended to be overly flattering. The documentary includes a final message from Reubens, recorded the day before his death, addressing significant events in his life, including his arrests and the impact of homophobia on his career. The project's success was a testament to the commitment of both Wolf and Reubens to tell a nuanced story about identity, creativity, and legacy.
After Paul Reubens' untimely demise, Matt Wolf faced the challenge of completing their two-part documentary "Pee-wee as Himself," which delved into the life and career of the acclaimed actor. In the midst of this emotional rollercoaster, Wolf discovered that Reubens had privately pondered mortality throughout their conversations, a fact emphasized by the aforementioned text messages. Amidst the challenges and resistance, the documentary confirmed Reubens' wish to share a nuanced story about identity, creativity, and legacy, offering viewers an unprecedented glimpse into the life of a beloved entertainer.
