Bukowski at Bellevue (1970)

Emerging from the cluttered confines of his ramshackle East Hollywood apartment in the vibrant Spring of 1970, Charles Bukowski, then a name yet to ripple through literary circles, embarks on a transformative journey. With an overnight bag slung over his shoulder, he locks away his humble existence, stepping into the world to take his first plane ride to the evergreen state of Washington. His destination: Bellevue Community College, where he is invited to perform a reading - a pioneering moment, only his fourth ever. Unbeknownst to him, this event is destined to become a cornerstone in the foundation of his illustrious career. This historical occasion, captured in the raw simplicity of black-and-white by the unseasoned hands of student videographers, is a testament to Bukowski's burgeoning talent. Although marred by technical imperfections, the footage remained untouched, overlooked, and forgotten for nearly two decades. But the essence of Bukowski's mid-life awakening resonates loud and clear through the grainy visuals and shaky audio. The film unveils the man behind the name, reading with a power that pulsates with grit and humor, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into a once-in-a-lifetime moment. "Bukowski at Bellevue" is not simply a film; it's a rediscovered capsule of time, a testament to the dawn of a literary titan's career, powerfully presented with the raw intensity that would become his trademark.

Bukowski at Bellevue is a documentary movie featuring Charles Bukowski.

Bukowski at Bellevue is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Fandor Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy Bukowski at Bellevue on Amazon Video.