Bukowski – Hollywood – Comment

 

Bukowski was asked to write a screenplay about his life. Reluctantly, he entered his writing room, sat down, turned on the radio to his favorite classical station, popped a bottle of wine and began typing. Though he had never penned a screenplay before, the process soon became effortless, and soon later. Barfly came into in to being in the weird and chaotic world of Hollywood. The novel is an exploration of the poet/writer/alcoholic's life as a young man living in tinsel town. Bukowski takes the reader on a roller coaster ride, the wins and disappointments of producing the film from finished screenplay to the movie's premier in 1987. 

As a reader of Bukowski, the film’s content had indeed reflected his life as a one-time bum, fledging writer and poet, and incessant drinker. As to be expected, his work is not everybody's cup of tea. In fact, as the writer once expressed, his readership has a love hate relationship for the work. This made him notoriously popular, his novels and poetry continuing to be infamous and consistently selling well.  

What is interesting and entertaining about the novel, is Bukowski’s references to the famous people in the industry. The lead actor in the film is Jack Bledsoe, that is Micky Rourke. In a noted comeback at the time, Faye Dunaway plays the female lead, Francine Bowers. Bukowski ended really liking the two leads, especially Dunaway, who came across in the text as a serious actor and a charming woman.  

It was particularly interesting to see Bukowski meet one of America’s literary giants, Norman Mailer. Both seemed to like one another, and Mailer was impressed that Bukowski never asked him about his writing. When they meet, Bukowski says, shaking his hand, something to the effect of “The Barfly meets the Champ.” Mailer appeared to like this comparison.  

A major complaint in Hollywood from its beginnings is the writer is paid significantly less than other members of the project, specifically the actors. There are at least three instances where the author has a little whine about this reality. That said, many literary giants who moved to the screenplay in Hollywood, had the same complaint. F.  Scott Fitzgerald and William Falkner both had negative sentiments about writers working in movie town.  

The novel is written deceptively simple with Bukowski’s no-nonsense prose. The dialogue is superb, and that signature ability to move from describing a down and out scene to musing about the philosophical, the human condition and our ability to carry on despite the vagaries of life.  

This novel is the first in a long while where I am a bit sad reading the last page.  

“What are you going to do now?’ Sarah asked. 

“About what?” 

“I mean, the movie is really over.” 

“Oh yes.” 

“What will you do?” 

“There are the horses.” 

“Besides the horses.” 

“Oh, hell, I’II write a novel about writing the screenplay and making the movie.” 

“Sure, I guess you can do that.” 

“I can, I think.” 

“What are you going to call it?” 

“Hollywood.” 

“Hollywood?” 

“Yes...” 

And this is it.  (p.262-263.) 

 

Ultranationalism, Tribalism and the Arrogance of Empire.

 

A mere casual glance on social media reveals a growing trend of ultranationalism in many western states. Israel is the perfect example of this social condition, believing their culture, a forced mix of Zionism and the Judaic religious tradition, are far superior to all other peoples and nations. To understand this phenomenon further, see my opinion piece on Substack, (1) Is Conflating Zionism with Judaism- Wrong?. More alarming still, the United States, particularly since October7, has seen a rise in ‘tribalism’ or a form of ethnocentrism, gain in magnitude and power across the globe. 

Bush 2’s famous line, “You’re either with us or against us.” after 9/11, kicking off “the war on terror”, saw a 20-year war across the middle east.  America’s closes allies joined in on the slaughter. The tally of fatalities exceeds millions including civilians and children. Libya was toppled; Iraq is all but destroyed and occupied; the Afghanistan war lasted decades to no geopolitical advantage. In fact, the US withdrawal from this war was an embarrassment. Our designated enemy the Taliban, retook control of the country in a matter of hours or days. It is through these conflicts that westerners chose their ideological sides, a Manichean over simplified view of the world.  

One has seen the rise in western jingoism since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. It is currently an undisputed reality that the US government and its Executive Branch, has placed Israel as its priority over any domestic issue. This is evident from many “antisemitic” laws rushed through congress or by National decree from President Trump. If a particular state does not express their loyalty to Israel, that state, in a natural disaster, for example, will not receive reparations. In the UK, censorship laws have passed, labelling pro-Palestine protestors or anti-genocide demonstrators “terrorists.” This obvious authoritarian move by our democratic leaders have put the population in a precarious corner: “You’re either with us or against us.” If you do not follow our dictates on these issues, you will be duly punished.  

This of course is not democracy but unadulterated Fascism.  

A cursory glance at social media reveals the rise of ultranationalism. 

There is no doubt that we are tribal creatures. An instinctive tendency to choose a side and defend our group until our last breath. I would suggest this new tribalism or ultranationalism is a result of the numerous wars, especially over the last 25 years. For example, a more vocal and fierce hate for the Islam communities has magnified exponentially since October 7, 2023. Islam is currently the biggest threat to western civilization or so say conservative voices across the United States. 

 For several reasons, I have not visited my original home in the US for a few decades. It wasn’t a problem in the first 30 years there, but now in 2025, Islam is now the number one ‘enemy from within’ posited above all else including drug cartels and the fentanyl epidemic.  

I would propose that this hate for another religion, a predominately eastern religion began right after 9/11, once the US entered a 20-year slaughter in the middle east. Simply relying on the law of physics, ‘blowback’ is inevitable.  This would include the rise of ultranationalism.  

As the first son of Australian parents and living in Melbourne for over 30 years as an educated citizen and professional, experiencing many walks of life, nationalism has never been a ‘thing.’ We never used words like patriotism, love of one’s flag, or blamed a migrant minority for the country’s woes. This not to say that Australian’s do not love and appreciate their country, on the contrary, most do. The difference is we don’t wear our love of country on our sleeves like the Americans. Only recently, I’ve observed a new ‘nationalism’ in Australia from certain organized groups, claiming an extreme form of “patriotism” and accusing those who disagree with their political views “Un Australian.” This is absurd.   

There is one issue that has caused a mammoth rift on the planet, and that is Israel’s intentional annihilation of the Palestinian people. As illustrated above, leading western governments around the planet are shedding their ‘democratic values” resorting to fascism and punishing those citizens who speak out against Israel’s butchering and attempted ethnic cleansing in Palestine.  

It’s almost as if our governments are pushing its citizens to choose a side and fight amongst each other.   

In the EU anyone questioning the Russian/Ukraine war is shut down and labeled a traitor and a potential agent for the Kremlin! This is ridiculous of course, but this is an effort by EU leaders to prolong the war, censoring any attempt at diplomacy, to remain relevant on the world stage. EU leaders despise Russia, and through this irrational hate, promote idiotic propaganda that Russia desires to conquer Europe, (blatantly false) and to what goal? I would suggest one aspect of this nonsense is economic. Corporate overlords want this bloodshed to continue as war is highly profitable. The hundreds of billions of dollars the US have given Ukraine generates more profit in all aspects of the conflict. Ultranationalism has emerged or forced upon the people, (you’re either loyal to one’s country or a traitor) making its citizens ‘take a side’ and punished for even suggesting a diplomatic solution.  

The essential tool of authoritarian governments is censorship. It appears that the giant tech companies are following the dictates of government to ensure the population is not aware or understand all sides of the conflict enabling ignorance and the perpetuation of further slaughter.  

The arrogance of empire is off the scale, treating the people like children, pushing their lies, and through censorship, creating a nationalist fervor to ensure these wars continue under the guise of democracy.  

We should rise above this enforced over simplified Manichean view of the world as mere good/evil, black/white, right vs. left. The issues discussed here are much more complicated and nuanced than this. We are at a point where actual critical thinking must be applied to ensure our survival as human beings.