The day before Iowa’s caucuses a pair of Iowa filmmakers have teamed up to provide an insider’s look at their home state, in hopes of dispelling many of the myths and stereotypes that surround the home of the county’s first presidential caucus. The “Iowa Nice” video uploaded to Youtube Monday afternoon has already collected more than 130,000 views in less than 12 hours. Filmmakers Scott Siepker and Paul Benedict say the 1:51 minute clip is “A response to national media coverage of their beloved home state.”
” Iowa Nice ” opens with Siepker standing front of several national media satellite trucks speaking directly to the camera saying, “So I hear you think you know something about Iowa. F— You!” It’s a jarring, and attention grabbing open which then transitions to Siepker addressing stereotypes such as the state is filled with “kneejerk conservative reactionaries” or “Iowans are all hillbillies.” Siepker flatly goes on to point out that in five out of the last six Presidential elections his home state was won by a Democrat. Then asks the viewer directly and somewhat arrogantly, “How do you like me now?” On the controversial issue of same-sex marriage Siepker nonchalantly explains that odds are Iowa legalized gay marriage before your state.
A fair amount of the clip is spent discussing Iowa agricultural roots. “You think we’re all farmers you say. Well, four out of five us live in cities, punk,” says Siepker dryly. “One Iowa farmer feeds 155 of you. Do you like to eat? Looks like it,” he adds subtly taking a shot at the nation’s growing battle with obesity. The clip’s mix of fact, foul language and subtle hip-hop-ish bed music draws the viewer in, and displays Siepker and Benedict’s obvious affinity for their home state.
In an interview with the Des Moines Register Siepker says the video has already accomplished his main goal, which was to make people laugh. “The response has been out of this world, people are going crazy,” he told the newspaper. The video ends with Siepker reminding the viewer in his cool bearded style that, “That’s right. We’re nice. F—Wad.”