Watch Bukowski: Born Into This

Bukowski: Born Into This is a documentary concerning the life and work of Charles Bukowski, a well-known 20th century poet and novelist with ties to the Beat generation and counter-cultural literature. The film unfolds as a montage of video footage of Bukowski's interviews, home life and readings, and interviews with Bukowski's friends and fans, including Harry Dead Stanton, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bono, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Among the aspects of Bukowski's biography that are discussed are his upbringing in an abusive household, his young adulthood of temporary, unrewarding jobs, his many relationships with women, and his tenuous relationship with his fans. Bukowski's writing career began in the mid-1950s, garnered critical and commercial success in the 1960s. The poet continued to be prolific until his death in 1994, and the film chronicles the author's struggles and triumphs throughout his life and career. The documentary provides many samples of Bukowski's poetry and novels.