Factotum (2005)

Director:

Bent Hamer

Writers:

Charles Bukowski (novel)
Bent Hamer (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

29 ÁPRILIS 2005 (Norway)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

What matters most is how you well you walk through the fire.

Plot:

This drama centers on Hank Chinaski, the fictional alter-ego of "Factotum" author Charles Bukowski, who wanders around Los Angeles, CA trying to live off jobs which don't interfere with his primary interest, which is writing. Along the way, he fends off the distractions offered by women, drinking and gambling.

Plot Keywords:

Drinking | Gambling | Writing | Money | Writer

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Matt Dillon	...	Hank Chinaski
Lili Taylor	...	Jan
Didier Flamand	...	Pierre
Fisher Stevens	...	Manny
Marisa Tomei	...	Laura
Adrienne Shelly	...	Jerry
Karen Young	...	Grace
Thomas Lyons	...	Tony Endicott (as Tom Lyons)
Dean Brewington	...	Old Black Man
James Cada	...	Bald Man
James Michael Detmar	...	Smithson
Kurt Schweickhardt	...	Ice Plant Supervisor
Dee Noah	...	Hank's Mother
James Noah	...	Hank's Father
Michael Egan	...	Taxi Office Clerk
Terry Hempleman	...	Superintendant Barnes
Emily Hynnek	...	Stripper (as Emily 'Sophia Simone' Hynnek)
Wayne Morton	...	Mantz
Tony Papenfuss	...	John Handler
Lana Schwab	...	Mrs. Adams
Sally Wingert	...	Payroll Lady
Robert Downing Davis	...	George Henley
Bryan J. Walker	...	Pharmacist
Dan Lee Jr.	...	Elf
Peter Moore	...	Editor
Bruce Bohne	...	Auto Parts Manager
Larry Roupe	...	Pete
Chris Carlson	...	Liquor Store Clerk
Stephen D'Ambrose	...	Mailman
Emil Herrera	...	Mendoza
Michelle Hutchison	...	Young Lady
Andy Hubbell	...	Employment Office Man
Martin Marinaro	...	Bartender
Raye Birk	...	Heathercliff
Stephen Pelinski	...	Mr. Hansen
Stanley Kipper	...	Spencer
Brent Doyle	...	McBride
John Paul Gamoke	...	Peters
Jim Lichtscheidl	...	Calloway (as James Lichtscheidl)
Jay Gjernes	...	Truck Driver
Clyde Lund	...	Employment Office Clerk
Debbie DeLisi	...	Bartender
George McGuire	...	Carson Gentry
Brad Madson	...	Tailor
Gary Tournier	...	Bar Patron
Esera Tuaolo	...	Laura's Bar Bartender
John Nadeau	...	Sleeping Man
Cathi Cooper	...	Bar Patron
Carole Samuelson	...	Bar Patron
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Matthew Feeney	...	Harry Berglund (scenes deleted)
Stephanie Allensworth	...	Woman on the street and patron at the race track (uncredited)
Jim Brockhohn	...	Bartender (uncredited)
Jimmy Brockhohn	...	Gambler (uncredited)
Clint Clark	...	Horse Race Fan (uncredited)
Joseph Courtemanche	...	Bouncer in bar scene (uncredited)
Frank Crandell	...	Man Drinking Beer Next To Ms. Tomei (uncredited)
Christopher Day	...	2nd Man Placing Bet (uncredited)
Diane Kelson	...	Woman on fire escape (uncredited)
Nels Lennes	...	Man going to work (uncredited)
Shawn McNulty	...	Bike shop worker (uncredited)
Doua Moua	...	Spectator (uncredited)
Lisa Pechmiller	...	Spectator (uncredited)
Geoff Schilz	...	Man placing bet (uncredited)
Christina Sedlacek	...	Spectator (uncredited)
Annie Wallick	...	Woman on Street (uncredited)
Jim Westcott	...	Cab Driver (uncredited)
Donny West	...	Taxi Class Student (uncredited)

Directed by
Bent Hamer

Writing credits
Charles Bukowski		(novel)
Bent Hamer		(written by) and
Jim Stark		(written by)

Produced by
Karl Baumgartner	....	associate producer
Reinhold Elschot	....	associate producer
Bent Hamer	....	producer
Rainer Mockert	....	associate producer
Peter Nadermann	....	associate producer
Jim Stark	....	producer
Christine K. Walker	....	executive producer (as Christine Kunewa Walker)
Meinolf Zurhorst	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Kristin Asbjørnsen

Cinematography by
John Christian Rosenlund		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Pål Gengenbach

Production Design by
Eve Cauley		(as Eve Cauley Turner)

Set Decoration by
Sarah Kruchowski		(as Sarah Jean Kruckowski)
Kate Sheeley

Costume Design by
Tere Duncan

Makeup Department
Natalie A. Hale	....	additional makeup artist (as Natalie Hale)
Sherry Heart	....	key hair stylist
Patricia Regan	....	makeup designer
Tara Smith	....	hair stylist: Marisa Tomei

Production Management
Devorah DeVries	....	production manager
Jason Cooper Hall	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jason Cooper Hall	....	second assistant director: dayplayer
Matt Holz	....	second second assistant director
Eric D. Howell	....	second assistant director (as Eric Howell)
Paul B. Johnson	....	first assistant director
Atsuko Sato	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Cheri Anderson	....	set dresser
Paul Berglund	....	assistant property master
Jennie Bond	....	graphic designer
Kelsey Cramer	....	production assistant: props
Mindy Harris	....	property master
Oceana Lawler Larsen	....	set dresser
Evan Morris	....	construction foreman
Savannah Rhomberg-Reich	....	head painter
Paul Rothmeier	....	carpenter
Andrew Shea	....	draftsperson
Mark S. Turner	....	art department associate (as Mark Steven Turner)
Dave Underhill	....	lead person

Sound Department
Ken Chastain	....	sound recordist
Petter Fladeby	....	sound designer
Petter Fladeby	....	sound re-recording mixer
Cully Gallagher	....	boom operator
Micki Joanni	....	synchron editor
Christopher Riley	....	production assistant: sound department
John Sims	....	production sound mixer (as John L. Sims Jr.)
John Sims	....	sound recordist (as John L. Sims Jr.)
Richard Sveen	....	sound editor
Erik S. Watland	....	foley artist

Visual Effects by
Torgeir Busch	....	visual effects
Aksel Jermstad	....	visual effects artist
Aksel Jermstad	....	visual effects

Stunts
Rose M. Frazier	....	stunts
Eric D. Howell	....	stunt coordinator (as Eric Howell)
Peter Moore	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Tristan Allen	....	camera production assistant: video
Sebastián Almeida	....	first assistant camera
Ray Attridge	....	electrician
Eddie Cohen	....	lighting technician
Edward Cohen	....	gaffer (as Eddie Cohen)
Joseph Gallup	....	key grip
Fernando Gayesky	....	camera operator
Fernando Gayesky	....	director of photography: second unit
Tony Hanson	....	grip
Mark Higashino	....	still photographer
Travis Hottinger	....	electrician
Marty Jurek	....	camera production assistant (as Martin Jurek)
Kevin Karpinski	....	best boy grip
Yoshiji D. Katagiri	....	electrician
Damian Kussian	....	grip
Michael Lindquist	....	second assistant camera (as Michael V. Lindquist)
Chris Malone	....	best boy electric
Lucas McCarter	....	grip
David S. Pope	....	dolly grip (as David Pope)
Shannon Schaefer	....	grip
Randall Smith	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Michael Winn	....	electrician
Dean Woytcke	....	grip

Casting Department
Lynn Blumenthal	....	casting director: Minneapolis
Marisa Collins	....	extras casting assistant
Debbie DeLisi	....	extras casting
Carolyn Deters	....	extras casting intern
Matthew Feeney	....	extras casting associate
Kaari Moen	....	extras casting intern
Amber Lee Olivier	....	extras casting assistant (as Amber Lee Olson)
Jay Runquist	....	extras casting intern
Lisa Stearns	....	extras casting intern

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Deborah Fiscus	....	wardrobe supervisor
Amy Pickering	....	costume design assistant: New York City
Hannah Walker	....	wardrobe assistant
Hannah Walter	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
Liv Risvaag	....	colorist
Darren Roark	....	digital color corrector (uncredited)

Music Department
Jostein Ansnes	....	music mixer
Jostein Ansnes	....	music recordist
Trygve Brøske	....	composer: organ music
Thomas Henriksen	....	music recordist
Magnus Torkildsen	....	music mixer
Magnus Torkildsen	....	music recordist
Peer Espen Ursfjord	....	music recordist

Transportation Department
Michael Kennedy	....	transportation captain (as Mike Kennedy)
Brenton McCracken	....	transportation coordinator
Rajiv Sarin	....	driver
Leo Skudlarek	....	driver

Other crew
Shelli Ainsworth	....	location manager
Topper Anton	....	set production assistant
Robert Becka	....	production intern
Andrew Burton	....	key set production assistant
Torgeir Busch	....	title designer
Joe Dressel	....	production intern
Jesse Ehman	....	production assistant
Robin Garland	....	location coordinator
Kurt W. Gensmer	....	set medic
Molly Getty	....	assistant to producers
Arzu Gokcen	....	assistant: Matt Dillon
Graham Gremore	....	clearance coordinator
Mike Griesser	....	production intern
David Hansen	....	assistant: Matt Dillon (as Dave Hansen)
Mark Har	....	location scout
Christianne Hedtke	....	production assistant
Aksel Jermstad	....	title designer
Lars Johanessen	....	title designer: end credits
Todd B. Johnson	....	production office intern
Vanessa Miles	....	production assistant
Mary Moga	....	production secretary (as Mary Louise Moga)
Jamie Molever	....	assistant: Ms. Tomei
Thomas G. Page	....	assistant production coordinator
Aaron Pikala	....	production office assistant
Laurie Pyle	....	set medic
Darren Roark	....	computer and technical support
Stephen Root	....	production intern
Benjamin Rosenbaum	....	assistant: Lilli Taylor
Jason P. Schumacher	....	strike crew
Seth Shapiro	....	set production assistant
Lisa Stearns	....	production intern
Bridget Striker	....	production intern
Jill Sweiven	....	product placement
Jill Sweiven	....	public relations
Julie Swenson	....	set publicist
Dylan Thies	....	production intern
C. Elizabeth Trumble	....	production accountant
Sidney Walker	....	location assistant
Lynn Younglove	....	script supervisor
Rachel Grubb	....	stand-in: Lily (uncredited)

Thanks
Linda Saetre	....	thanks
Ruth Waldburger	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Arte
• Bulbul Films
• Canal+
• Celluloid Dreams
• MBP (Germany)
• Mikado Films
• Network Movie Film-und Fernsehproduktion
• Norsk Filmfond
• Norsk Filmstudio
• Norwegian Film Institute
• Pandora Filmproduktion
• SF Norge A/S
• StarkSales Inc.
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF)
• ZDF/Arte

Distributors

• Cinemien (2006) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Frenetic Films (2005-2006) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Hollywood Classic Entertainment (2006) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• ID Distribution (2005) (France) (theatrical)
• IFC Films (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• Longride (2007) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Picturehouse Entertainment (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• Al!ve AG (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2009) (UK) (TV) (BBC2)
• Canvas (2009) (Belgium) (TV)
• Homescreen (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Video Audio Project (VAP) (2008) (Japan) (DVD)

Other Companies

• ARRI / Camera Service Center  camera provided by (as Arri Rental/CSC, New York)
• Barracuda  music mixed at
• Barracuda  music recorded at
• Cinequipt  grip and electric equipment
• Consolidated Film Industries (CFI)  negative processing (as Consolidated Film Industries)
• Digital Film Lab  ARRI laser film recording (as Digital Filmlab, Copenhagen)
• Drylab  digital intermediate
• Du Art Film and Video  adr (as DuArt Film & Video, New York)
• Gamma & Density  on-set color correction (as Gamma and Density's 3CP system)
• Nidaros Studio  music recorded at
• Norsk Filmstudio  post-production facilities
• Norsk Filmstudio  sound design
• Props On Wheels  picture vehicles/insert vehicle driver
• Rainbow Studio  music recorded at (as Rainbow Studio, Oslo)
• Soundtrack  trailer
• Technicolor Creative Services  video film dailies
• øra Studio  music mixed at
• øra Studio  music recorded at

Also Known As:

Factotum (France)
Factotum: A Man Who Performs Many Jobs (USA) (long title)

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

France | Germany | Sweden | USA | Norway

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:16 | Brazil:16 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:12 | Singapore:M18 | Netherlands:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | USA:R (MPAA rating) | Australia:M | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Finland:K-15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Canterbury Park Racetrack - 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, Minnesota, USA

Company:

Arte

Trivia:

'Sean Penn' was the first choice for the role of Henry Chinaski.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the scene where Lili Taylor's character changes out of her high heel shoes the reflection of the dolly tracks is visible in the polished stone of the building.

Quotes:

Henry Chinaski: Amazing how grimly we hold on to our misery, the energy we burn fueling our anger. Amazing how one moment, we can be snarling like a beast, then a few moments later, forgetting what or why. Not hours of this, or days, or months, or years of this... But decades. Lifetimes completely used up, given over to the pettiest rancor and hatred. Finally, there is nothing here for death to take away.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Making of 'Factotum' (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Where Breathing Starts

Jack of all trades and master of the bottle

If you remember that Bent Hamer made the little film about a Forties Scandinavian household efficiency program called Kitchen Stories, you'll be partially prepared for the dry, sardonic style of this follow-up feature, the Charles Bukowski-based epic of seedy living Factotum, in which Matt Dillon gives a stylized, restrained performance as the authorial stand-in, Hank Chinaski, and Lili Taylor and Marisa Tomei seamlessly slide into the roles of Hank's alcoholic girlfriends Jan and Laura. Bulked up with a zombie stare, stifled voice and shambling walk, Dillon is very good, if, due partly to script limitations, not as compelling as Mickey Rourke in Barbet Schroeder's Barfly. Even overweight and horribly dressed Dillon is still far too handsome to resemble the pockmarked and ugly real-life Bokowski, but you can't fault good looks in a leading man, and the film is dominated by Dillon's character, who's in every scene, his narrative voice brought in to move the episodic plot along and provide Bukowski's insistent commentary on life as he sees it.

Those episodes are all we get, and apart from brief writing and longer romantic interludes, they mainly concern a long round of short-lived jobs -- sorting pickles in a pickle factory, boxing brake shoes, dusting statues, driving a cab (a hard-on's no danger to the driver, the instructor says, but sneezing is), assembling bike parts, and so on, from which Hank is unfailingly soon fired for drunkenness or lateness, insubordination or other misdemeanors -- whereupon he goes back to writing, drinking, and sex -- which latter, Jan tells him, is no good when he gets successful as he does for a while playing the horses. (There's none of the post office sorting job Bukowski did for a long time.) For Bukowski and his alter ego being a seedy loser is a thing carried off with such chutzpah that it's sexy -- and drinking and sex are equally close ways to feed the libido. There are plenty of the ten-cent aphorisms the tireless writer worked at, and there's a plug for the Black Sparrow Press that eventually started to keep and publish his endlessly mailed out submissions and today still survives off maintaining the slob genius' oœvre in public hands.

Bokowski appeals to the young, the easily impressed, the hard drinking, and those who like the pithy sayings and ignore the arrested development. For those of bourgeois mentality and upbringing there's a certain imperishably tonic thrill in watching a man who's been down so long it looks like up; who can tell the employer who's just fired him to give him his severance check immediately so he can hurry up and get drunk; for whom no flophouse or flat is too seedy, no bibulous girlfriend a worse drunk than he. How liberating it might be not to care about losing everything, knowing that since paper and pen are nearly free you'll never stop writing: or if you lose heart for a minute or two, a dip into the works of some other writer will encourage you in the belief that you can do better. Bokowski was a tough one.

Matt Dillon is Irish enough to have seen something of the hard drinking life himself. One senses that he knows whereof he speaks and can convey the alcoholic lifestyle without irony or melodrama. There's nothing quite like Lili Taylor coming out in her underwear to fix Hank a meal. His request is for another round of pancakes. "There's still no butter," she says. "Well, they'll be extra crisp," he replies.

In a smaller but still choice role Marisa Tomei is well disguised as another drunken lady Hank goes home with, finding that she lives with a flaky French millionaire called Pierre (Didier Flamand) with a little yacht and dreams of composing an opera. Hank's been taken off so many two bit jobs being fired has no sting left for him. Bukowski's persona is impenetrable and he's a simple survivor: he's almost utterly resistant to the forces of change his wayward lifestyle would activate in lesser beings and hence, unlike the downward spiraling drunk so movingly played by Nick Cage in Leaving Las Vegas, Bukowski's Hank in Dillon's performance cannot build toward pathos or true depth. As suggested, this film doesn't develop its sequences and relationships as thoroughly as Barfly, for which Bukowski himself wrote the screenplay, giving it a continuity and focus Factotum's more cobbled-together script doesn't quite muster.

There's something condescending and cultish in the European cultivation of the Bukowski myth in which this is another short chapter. Factotum is an occasionally amusing, at moments laugh-out-loud kind of movie that's well served by all the principals and by director Hamer's dry wit and restraint, but after the desultory and boring stretches have eventually started to pile up you may begin to say: So what? and wish the fresh novel feel of the early scenes could've been better sustained throughout. Not to fault the editing, but mightn't a native's keener ear for the rhythms of the dialogue have kept the flow going better? This is one to see if you like Matt Dillon or Bukowski; otherwise, save your time.