“All The Way” Short Film Based on the Charles Bukowski Poem “Roll the Dice” (VIDEO)

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The video above, titled “All The Way” and directed by Willem Martinot, uses the Charles Bukowski poem “roll the dice” along with original footage to create a moving short video.

The video stars actor Imre Tigchelaar. Both men are from the Netherlands.

The poem “roll the dice” appears in the book “What Matters Most Is How Well You Walk Through the Fire.” It is more uplifting and inspirational than what most people think of when they think of Charles Bukowski. But, in fact, he wrote a number of works with more heart than people give him credit for, like the beautiful “Bluebird.”

Bukowski didn’t just talk the talk, he also lived it. He really did put it all on the line, starving for his art, prioritizing his dream and creating the work for which he is now internationally known. That sincerity makes this poem work, when coming from another type of person it will fall flat and feel like so much puffery. This is one of his best known works, and I think you can see why. He delivers with this one, and he delivered on living out his dream.

Read the poem in its entirety below.

“roll the dice” by Charles Bukowski

if you’re going to try, go all the way.
otherwise, don’t even start.

if you’re going to try, go all the
way.
this could mean losing girlfriends,
wives, relatives, jobs and
maybe your mind.

go all the way.
it could mean not eating for 3 or
4 days.
it could mean freezing on a
park bench.
it could mean jail,
it could mean derision,mockery,
isolation.
isolation is the gift,
all the others are a test of your
endurance, of
how much you really want to
do it.
and you’ll do it
despite rejection and the
worst odds
and it will be better than
anything else
you can imagine.

if you’re going to try,
go all the way.
there is no feeling like
that.
you will be alone with the
gods
and the nights will flame
with fire.

do it, do it, do it.
do it.

all the way
all the way.

you will ride life straight to
perfect laughter, it’s
the only good fight
there is.

 

So what did you think of the video? Does it do the Bukowski poem justice or were you left unimpressed? Tell us in the comments below.

Comments

comments

4 Comments

  1. Good production. Tom O’Bedlam is my favorite reader.

  2. Very pretty visuals, lovely music and a great little short film but for me it doesnt work with the poem. For me the poem is about reckless bravery and keeping it real…and didnt Hank end up under the Words “Don’t Try”? So IF you’re going to try…ah fuck it…

  3. Yeah, the poem and it’s sentiment are awesome. With another poem set to it, the video would work. Together they seem–– incongruent.

  4. Valiant Princess c/o Solitude Vixen

    #PERFECT!

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