Tag Archives: Documentary

La Biblioteca del Mondo

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Umberto Eco: A Library of the World is a wonderful new documentary about the bestselling Italian author with perhaps the greatest intellectual appetite of any writer of his time. Directed by Davide Ferrario, the documentary will launch in the U.S. beginning … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Freedom of Speech, Libraries, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A Night at the Garden

Posted on August 16, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

As we face an existential crisis which challenges whether the United States will remain a democracy or sink into a cesspit of neo-Fascist, Christian White Nationalist repression, it is worth remembering our history and examining how close we came in … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, History, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

“Ten percent of what I write is immortal”

Posted on August 6, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

You Never Had It – An Evening with Bukowski is a documentary from director Matteo Borgardt that transports you back to January 1981 for an intimate evening conversation with legendary writer and poet Charles Bukowski at his San Pedro home. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

William S. Burroughs gets spooky

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The Witches or Witchcraft Through the Ages, or Häxan, is a Swedish-Danish film that is a curious and groundbreaking mix of documentary and silent horror cinema, written and directed by Benjamin Christensen. Christensen’s vision was unique, basing his film on non-fiction works, mainly the Malleus … Continue reading →

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Paper Matters

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Many years ago, I tried my hand at paper making. I think that I still have files of homemade paper stashed away somewhere. I wasn’t very good at papermaking, but I developed a real appreciation for the skill involved in … Continue reading →

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I needed color

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Okay, I admit that when I first ran across this short documentary video about the artwork from actor/comedian Jim Carrey I waited for the punchlines, but they never came. The film shows Carrey sketching, drawing, and painting large, colorful canvases … Continue reading →

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Welcome to The Last Bookstore

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles is on every traveling bibliophile’s must visit list. The 12-minute documentary below, directed by Chad Howitt, explores the history of Southern California’s largest indie bookshop and the inspiring story of it’s owner Josh Spenser.

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Pop-up Guide to the Galaxy

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The fantastic series PBS Off Book has given us some truly wonderful and enlightening mini-documentary films on such varied and diverse topics as Steampunk, Product Design, Generative Art and Typography. Now, they have produced a terrific film on Book Art. … Continue reading →

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