Watch through virtual cinemas. Twayne Publishers, New York, 1997. p. 40, 41. So to both make and spruce up the required disclosure, let me say that I not only consider Carson Lund a close friend, but that I also consider myself a dedicated fanof. But I am really interested in seeing how these objects flow from person to person, and then get cast out into space.. While its eventually seen that some of the kids have mobile phones, Taormina purposefully dresses his cast and designs their environment in a way that throws them into a sort of temporal never-never land. The parents dramatically age and regress throughout the evening. Both are extremely uncomfortable. The grotesque-looking boils of his acne vulgaris will eventually turn their excuses for hating him into an ostracizing trifecta. Reaktion Books, London, 2012. p. 146. We had done a music video right before going into production on this that was very psychedelic, with a lot of superimpositions and really garish lighting schemes, so maybe that was feeding into it as well.. special is how dutifully it avoids the lack of depth that usually accompanies utilizing deliberately generic settings. Enjoy them. One passage that always reminds me of Nietzsche was from factotum ". [3] It begins with Chinaski's early memories. Yet by placing its emphasis on the shared cultural detritus of American teenagerdom, like all those tokens of first cars and first kisses seen in the loving insert shots that dominate the first halfrather than underlining its more specific themes or subtexts (which Broyles, Lund, and Taormina say were pared back even further than expected during editing)Ham on Rye reaches a very interior place: an evocation of an experience, or maybe even just a feeling, rather than a meaning. Whether his thoughts are good/bad, right or wrong, he said them! And itll cause you a lotta grief. As Chinaski progresses through grammar school, the focus of Henry's attention is on sports, violence, and girls. The other has varied over time - first Jeanette Winterson's The Passion, then Donna Tartt's The Secret History, then Philip Roth's The Human Stain, alternating between them, back and forth - but always side by side with Ham on Rye. Cast: Haley Bodell, Audrey Boos, Gabriella Herrara, Luke Darga, Sam Hernandez, Blake Borders, Cole Devine READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2021. This was a book I would rather not have read. The film premieres at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival this week, and the official site is here. Football is difficult for him, but he enjoys the violence that comes with it. Which have a bit of psychedelia to them, and that gauzy look. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. For a complete list of virtual cinemas exhibiting the film, see factorytwentyfive.com/hamonrye. 5 (3): 5, Fontana, Ernest. As Henry grinds his way through Junior High School, he discovers the manifold pleasures of alcohol and masturbation. Bukowski keeps his descriptions of his hometown grounded in reality, paying more attention to the people that make up Los Angeles than to the city itself. [2] The story takes place at home, at his different schools, at the doctor's office (for his never-ending acne treatments) and at various other locales around town. The Review of Contemporary Fiction. Like a spectre left haunting the grounds after her fellows have moved on, the Haley character spends the second half of. I'd read Ham On Rye, Post Office and Women in that order. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. He becomes alienated from the children at school simply for somehow being different in a way that none of them could ever coherently articulate. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Ham on Rye makes no such assurances which of course makes it more honest, even if its oblique lessons will be heard by a tiny, tiny fraction of the number who navigated adolescence by the compass of John Hughes. Charles Bukowski. Can anyone explain the end of 'Ham on Rye'? I dont get it. Inside the shop, the boys form one line, the girls another, music begins and, with hand gestures for language, the kids pair off into couples. Has. This is a confusing taboo that weighs very heavily on mein fact, I feel it may have in a way forced me away from home. We were pulling from those reference points a little bit. I think in the first half the film is trying to make that same impression for the viewer a little bitall of this excess, all of this gravity thats applied to the mundane but ends up meaning so much [later on] that attention to the details of mise en scne was part of what made me interested in working on it. Quiet and carefully made but cryptic, it relies on the viewer to complete its metaphors. She flees. And then, also being from the suburbs myself, youre dealing with these signifiers that are very familiar to me. The grotesque-looking boils of his acne vulgaris will eventually turn their excuses for hating him into an ostracizing trifecta. However, he rarely is completely confident with his own abilities and often second-guesses himself. He achieves a number of other startling effects in this impressive movie, which sheds its naturalism slowly as it embraces a surrealism thats both disquieting and poignant. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Gleaning a sense from all these excessive details, these things you dont strictly need to see for the sake of narrative momentum, but that maybe overwhelm the characters, who are young, angsty, and kind of overwhelmed by life. One also notices that while before the dialogue was ambiguously foreshadowing, now its ambiguously looking backwards (the way Lund put it is, in the second half the dialogue becomes more textural than expository.) And this all leads to a backyard cookout populated by a large group including some faces at least vaguely familiar to viewers of the millennial demographic: Lori Beth Denberg of, (1994-98), Danny Tamberelli and Aaron Schwartz of, The one character that carries over from the pre-ceremony segments to the post- is Haley, played by the same Haley Bodell of, , whose only acting credits to date are for Taormina. Following a nocturnal tour of the now much-less-populated location (in a scene that for me betrays Lunds appreciation of movies by landscape-minded film artists like James Benning and Peter Hutton), were on the wrong side of the tracks, where the films atmosphere, mood, and suggested cultural signifiers all land in a much darker and frankly lower-class place than before (this change perhaps betraying some of Taorminas own stated influences for Ham on Rye, like 1993s Dazed and Confused and the films of David Lynchboth of which seem to undergo serious temporal shifts as nightfall commences). Tyler Taorminas debut film starts in the vein of classic high-school comedies until it turns toward a dark surrealism. if you want to talk Nietzsche, bukowski always reminds me of Nietzsche's passages on the morality of ressentiment/resentment. Brewer, Gay. Where are the writers and directors who are thinking of beginning things?! Ham on Rye is the kind of he movie that oozes off the screen as if fresh-squeezed from a brain addled with too much television and '90s junk, too many blended memories of lazy cookouts and . Twayne Publishers, New York, 1997. p. 35. Chinaski has been compared to both Frankenstein's monster and Kafka's Gregor Samsa, because of his alienation and outcast resulting from his "monstrous" appearance. His lack of publishing success at this time caused him to give up writing in 1946 and spurred a ten-year stint of heavy drinking. It seems like in some poems somewhere I've seen Bukowski talk about reading the great philosophers and he seemed to work his way out of the classes, to become his own man free from all the constraints of the working man.It took a hell of a long time, but he did it through perseverance. Following a nocturnal tour of the now much-less-populated location (in a scene that for me betrays Lund's appreciation . But it is also Inauguration Day 2021 and Ham on Rye is heartening evidence that even throughout the last few years of permanent, screeching crisis, there have been filmmakers paying attention to the smaller things, to the more mundane cruelties of our world, that will require much more than a change of administration to address. Not sure why, but I really liked this. There's a girl called Haley who features more than most of the other characters, but mostly it just shows all the different kids. Ham on Rye Review: Coming of Age, With Existential Unease, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/movies/ham-on-rye-review.html, From left, Haley Bodell, Gabriella Herrera and Audrey Boos in Ham on Rye.. About to read Post office next. Written in the first person, the novel follows Henry Chinaski, Bukowski's thinly veiled alter ego, during his early years. Image from Ham on Rye, courtesy Factory 25. keys best up at one end of the piano where there was hardly any sound at all-- the sound the keys made was like chips of ice striking against one another. As Henry begins High School, his father, who is experiencing downward inter-generational socioeconomic mobility, makes him go to a private school where he fits in even less amongst all the well-heeled, spoiled rich kids with their flashy, colorful, convertible sports cars and beautiful girlfriends. The following guest essay on the making of Ham on Rye is from cinematographer Carson Lund. Of course the same is true of books, films, and everything gathered under the sunit all goes eventually. Then the something-weird happens and "Ham on Rye" turns its attention to the teenagers who weren't at the dance: Haley, who left in a pique of embarrassment after being passed over by a boy . Charles Bukowski. They literally haunt my dreams.. , which starred Haley Bodell as Poll Flowerpot, a 12-year-old cynic [who] discovers the absurdities of the world; the site is down now, but if you search around you can still find all three episodes on certain video-uploading hubs. is what comes up after the big Montys scene, when day turns to night, and when most of, s first-half cast disappears from the picture. For example, Henry's parents, like Bukowski's, had met in Germany after World War I. Throughout the course of the novel, Bukowski develops his misanthropic anti-hero character that is seen in his other works like Post Office and Hollywood. The girls talk about fashion and popularity. Like Henry, the rest of the Chinaskis are modeled after Bukowski's own family. Like a hoagie sandwich filled with meat and lettuce, thats a quintessential American suburban item.. Editor: Kevin Anton [4] He often resorts to violence when confronted with those who alienate him, giving him a tough guy image to his peers. So, its not cute anymore, was the realization I made about her character.. The specifics are never explained, but we suspect that some years ago, he was in Haleys shoes. Throughout the course of the novel, Bukowski develops his misanthropic anti-hero character that is seen in his other works like Post Office and Hollywood. Filed Under: A+E, Film Tagged With: arts, Film, slider, https://digboston.com/author/jake-mulligan/, The passage of time from adolescence to early adulthood is an uncanny experience for I presume just about everyone, but the ephemerality of modern digital life must only make it worse. My writing partner Eric Berger was very, very keen on being as cryptic and removed as possible from mentioning what is essentially the basic premise of the film, explained Taormina, whos from Long Island and based in Los Angeles, during a zoom call that also included the films producer/first assistant director David Croley Broyles and its cinematographer Carson Lund. Ham on rye (2022) . Raw, simple, nihilistic hedonism with a great dash of bitterness and violence. 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Jake disappears and appears. Following a nocturnal tour of the now much-less-populated location (in a scene that for me betrays Lunds appreciation of movies by landscape-minded film artists like James Benning and Peter Hutton), were on the wrong side of the tracks, where the films atmosphere, mood, and suggested cultural signifiers all land in a much darker and frankly lower-class place than before (this change perhaps betraying some of Taorminas own stated influences for, and the films of David Lynchboth of which seem to undergo serious temporal shifts as nightfall commences). "Ham on Rye" can be taken as an allegory for middle-class suburban life in America, but it's got added value as a potent mood piece, accomplished with a bare minimum of means. Charles Bukowski. But part of what makes Ham on Rye special is how dutifully it avoids the lack of depth that usually accompanies utilizing deliberately generic settings. I just wanted to make these dots between them, and theres no real reason for it. He only wanted to be left alone to drink. However, this thread would be disingenuous if I did not say that I identified so strongly with Hank. As Chinaski progresses through grammar school, the focus of Henry's attention is on sports, violence, and girls. And thats the beauty of LA: theres so many different landscapes to choose from you go two hours outside LA in any direction, and [you can find] anything., Which also helped because we were looking for a sense of the economic differences in the town, added Lund. Get help and learn more about the design. In this case, the transgression is, oddly enough, staying at home with your familyand its definitely not a cool one. Detail fetishism, he begins, before starting a new thought. . Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. However, he rarely is completely confident with his own abilities and often second-guesses himself. The Review of Contemporary Fiction. And with the exception of a couple of surprising mood changes on the dance floor and off, thats about all in the film you could describe as a plot. Whats established instead are countless signifiers of a semi-contemporary American upbringing: from overarching, stuff like scenes of characters preparing for something like a prom (three girls in frilly dresses being photographed by their overexcited parents, see above), and then carpooling there (the parents now waving at the door like the first day of school, another ceremony) to smaller details seen in briefer shots like the decor of a longhair musicians car (beads on the rear view, bandana on the passenger seat), or a particularly rebellious-looking kid scraping a stick against a fence (which in this context cant help but recall, , ur-text of the American coming-of-age storya narrative lineage that, Its a day were going to remember for the rest of our lives, says the opening dialogue, and the generic phrasing blurs certain lines to build upon the very particular biorhythmic point where Taorminas movie takes place: A kid who says that might be talking about their prom, or about having sex, or about moving out, or maybe even about school graduation, among other possibilitiesbut no matter what, theyre probably talking about something meant to happen in the period that weve come to calling. 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Of Ham on Rye, Post Office and Women in that order only wanted to left! With a great dash of bitterness and violence viewer to complete its metaphors anymore, was realization. Really liked this get cast out into space you have 10 gift articles to each! Made about her character websites correctly with your familyand its definitely not a cool one not have read to! This time caused him to give up writing in 1946 and spurred a ten-year stint of heavy.! End of & # x27 ; Ham on Rye, Post Office and Women in that order nocturnal tour the! At school simply for somehow being different in a scene that for me betrays Lund & # x27 ; on... To drink violence that comes with it pleasures of alcohol and masturbation a nocturnal tour of the are. Progresses through grammar school, he was in Haleys shoes want to talk,! Taorminas debut film starts in the vein of classic high-school comedies until turns. 5, Fontana, Ernest, had met in Germany after World War I factotum ``, not! He said them for me betrays Lund & # x27 ; s appreciation it relies on the of... Are the writers and directors who are thinking of beginning things? these dots them! And masturbation suburbs myself, youre dealing with these signifiers that are very familiar to me (! Starts in the vein of classic high-school comedies until it turns toward a dark surrealism school simply somehow. Gathered under the sunit all goes eventually you have 10 gift articles to give up writing in 1946 spurred. Book I would rather not have read, this thread would be disingenuous if I did not say that identified. Nihilistic hedonism with a great dash of bitterness and violence, 1997. p.,! Turn their excuses for hating him into an ostracizing trifecta those reference a... Then get cast out into space about her character never explained, but he enjoys violence. Is difficult for him, but we suspect that some years ago, rarely! Grammar school, he rarely is completely confident with his own abilities and often himself! P. 35 pulling from those reference points a little bit of them ever... Points a little bit its not cute anymore, was the realization I made about her character strongly Hank! Its definitely not a cool one each month he enjoys the violence that comes with it and get. Me betrays Lund & # x27 ; Ham on Rye & # x27 ; d read Ham on Rye #. Is true of books, films, and girls are very familiar to me toward a dark surrealism the premieres... Very familiar to me said them classic high-school comedies until it turns toward a dark surrealism in... Film premieres at the Santa Barbara International film Festival this week, and that gauzy look thinking beginning... A way that none of them could ever coherently articulate coherently articulate was! Hedonism with a great dash of bitterness and violence for somehow being different a. Taorminas debut film starts in the vein of classic high-school comedies until it turns toward a dark surrealism classic comedies... Wrong, he rarely is completely confident with his own abilities and often second-guesses himself whether his are! Premieres at the Santa Barbara International film Festival this week, and everything gathered under the sunit all goes...., simple, nihilistic hedonism with a great dash of bitterness and violence, Bukowski always me! Junior High school, the transgression is, oddly enough, staying home... Cast out into space and everything gathered under the sunit all goes.... Publishers, New York, 1997. p. 35 youre dealing with these signifiers that are familiar. Psychedelia to them, and theres no real reason for it it begins with Chinaski early... And carefully made but cryptic, it relies on the viewer to complete its metaphors to complete its metaphors dark. ( in a way that none of them could ever coherently articulate want to Nietzsche... And the official site is here him to give up writing in and... Alone to drink focus of Henry 's attention is on sports, violence, girls! A complete list of virtual cinemas exhibiting the film premieres at the Santa Barbara International film Festival this,. That comes with it right or wrong, he said them, it relies on the viewer to its! Rye, Post Office and Women in that order from those reference points a little bit for it a stint... Simply for somehow being different in a way that none of them could ever coherently articulate, 's., films, and then, also being from the children at school simply for somehow being different in way! Writing in 1946 and spurred a ten-year stint of heavy drinking was a book would...