Bukowski discussion

Hi guys,
being a fan of Bukowski's work for a long time, I grasped the opportunity to write a thesis that would make him the subject. I'm studying film theory, and I want to write about the two movies you all know - Barfly and Factotum. My goal is to put my finger on whatever it is that makes Bukowski/Chinaski an interesting character, why on earth would anyone make a movie about a guy who drinks all day and can't hold onto a job, and what made the movies (especially Barfly) an item of cult on their own. On the technical side, I'm also going to pay some attention to the casting and choice of directors. So, if you happen to have any thoughts on that, and decide to share them with me privately, or here, I'm all ears. Thanks

Chinaski doesn't just drink all day...he writes, does it really well, and that's what sets him apart from all the other drunks.

This fact only complicates things for you, but there is another indie film out of Chicago, 90's, called Walls of the City in which, in the second story the "Chinaski" is played by David Yow of the Jesus Lizard/Scratch Acid fame.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0242131/

I should've made it clearer that I was just quoting some of my colleagues and teachers, who found the subject to be, hmm, not quite film-material. Besides, potraying a writer at his work, the whole process of writing, isn't usually visually grasping either. You can turn their voice into a narrative that stretches over the movie, you can bring the words to life, show corrections and interruptions, and that's what I find interesting - how do you film a character, who is a writer, so it's not just a person sitting in front of a piece of paper or a typewriter?
Thanks for the link, I'm aware of many movies, even in my native language, that are related to/based on Bukowski - I only had to cut back to two because of, well, typical requirements that appear in this case. I'll try to find it though.

I agree, but it takes a skilled filmmaker to translate this process onto the screen... Do you think the two movies I mentioned do Bukowski justice?

I do think both films do justice, in different ways.

Factotum was better for the Bukowski...legacy. I've met many who only saw Barfly post '87, maybe read one (or part of one) book, and picture Rourke as Chinaski when they think of a skid-row, pugilist Bukowski. Have no idea of his years as a postal worker, workhorse of the early zine circut etc.
In 'Hollywood' he breaks down what he thought of the first film. Too bad he wasn't around to see Dillon do the second...

Vikkat wrote: "Hi guys,
being a fan of Bukowski's work for a long time, I grasped the opportunity to write a thesis that would make him the subject. I'm studying film theory, and I want to write about the two mov..."

I think what's interesting about Factotum and to an extent Barfly is that notion of the outside. The character is one that thumbs his nose at the standard conventions of society and in doing so sets himself out to be an outsider. This has a lot in common with classic American genres like "the road movie" where people are forced on to the road because they have no place in society and a great deal in common with the western as all too many of the western narratives are about setting out to build your own world. Chinaski, in a way, is a classic American character who is out of time with the new American around him, an antihero to modern culture and conventions yet the architect of America he's a fascinating character.

If you want to chat more about the character and film theory (as I studied it at Queen's) give me a shout at dave@knifedinvenice.com

Good luck!

I didn't think Barfly or Factotum did Buk or his work justice. Mickey Rourke was slightly better than Matt Dillon in his portrayal. In his novel Hollywood (not his best, but a pretty good read) Bukowski laments on the film industry and shares his own perspectives on the shortcomings of the film.
For my money the documentary 'Born into this" with raw footage of Bukowski himself, poetry readings and interviews is the better trip for Bukowski fan. You also get to hear from friends, former lovers, celebrity fans (Tom Waites and Yeah, Bono) and of course his publisher at black sparrow press as well as contemporaries.
I'd love to see Post Office or Ham on Rye turned into a film though...at risk of Buk rolling over in his grave to take a stiff drink.