Director John Dullaghan’s biographical documentary about infamous poet Charles Bukowski, Bukowski: Born Into This, is as much a touching portrait of the author as it is an exposé of his sordid lifestyle. Interspersed between ample vintage footage of Bukowski’s poetry readings are interviews with the poet’s fans including such legendary figures such as Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Joyce Fante (wife of John), Bono, and Harry Dean Stanton. Filmed in grainy black and white by Bukowski’s friend, Taylor Hackford, due to lack of funding, the old films edited into this movie paint Bukowski’s life of boozing and brawling romantically, securing Bukowski’s legendary status.
Editing
Taylor Hackford's grainy archival footage feels stolen from time.
Production
Zero budget, maximum soul — punk rock filmmaking.
Director
John Dullaghan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Taylor Hackford shot the original 16mm footage in 1972 for a student project, then sat on it for decades.
Bukowski died in 1994, nine years before this release — the film's posthumous construction lets his widow Linda curate which monster we meet.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
