Author Irvine Welsh isn’t the obvious topic for a documentary, something he admits himself. “I’m worried I’m morphing into one of these writers I used to detest,” Welsh explains, suggesting that fame detracts from the art. But the man is a fascinating individual, a person who witnessed a Scotland that raved its way through the decades. He’s an intelligent speaker, meditating on the journey that brought him to the 21st century.
As a documentary, Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough is a singular and colourful one. Walking through strobe lights, Welsh disappears into the darkness on a stage as synthesiser music lashes into the backdrop.”I don’t think reality is enough for a writer”, he muses to himself, suggesting that “fiction writing” is an escape for artists.
Actress Maxine Peake reads from Porno, one of Welsh’s books that details the impact of class war. Ruth Negga, Liam Neeson and Stephen Graham also contribute voice-overs. As a documentary, Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough pivots into performance art, becoming an installation exhibit of sorts. It’s definitely not the sort of doc in which people look at the camera, and deliver truths. If anything, director Paul Sng contorts the meaning of truth through a series of rapid-fire cuts, psychedelic light effects and a collage of voices that blend together like the ensemble of ghostly soldiers in The Thin Red Line (Terence Malick, 1998).
Welsh provides some insights into personal life. He supports Scottish Independence, and he listened to Iggy Pop as a youngster. But by and large, he mystifies himself, stating that it will only distract from the reader’s interpretation of his novels. There is visual poetry at play here: Welsh, ruminating on his next art, pounds away at a punching bag. The symbolism, though not subtle, shows how much of a battle it is to complete a form of work. Mental processes are often gruelling to execute.
Welsh likes to drink, as is evident from the pint of Guinness beside him as he talks to podcast host Mark Anthony. Rattled by some of the questions, Welsh rises to the occasion and gives erudite answers. It’s refreshing to witness this honest side to the writer, his prominent Scottish accent shining through. Whatever else can be said about the author, he never shies away from a challenge, whether it’s composing an intricate new book or coming up with clever retorts to tricky questions.
He’s best known for 1993 opus Trainspotting, a tale of fast living around the streets of Edinburgh. The writer walks around in almost complete darkness, barely noticing the camera in front of him. “If characters come to me that are sexist, racist or psychotic, so be it”, he mutters. He doesn’t appear to be one of these writers who uses the literary protagonist as a thinly-veiled mask. Rather, Welsh is a vessel in which these literary creations are given new life.
Welsh is a man full of contradictions. He’s semi-reclusive, yet enjoys a sideline as a DJ. Similarly, Welsh chases explosive narrative through the quiet recluses of life. What this makes him is human, a subject more than deserving of a documentary of his own. Welsh is certainly open to new forms of experimentation, having produced a television series – not forgetting the books that were expressed through the medium of stream of consciousness. Movingly, he ruminates on his heroin addiction, and the strength it took to move away from the fearful drug. Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough is a striking look at a writer at an introspective moment on his journey. Where he goes next is anyone’s guess, but it won’t be boring.
Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough had its world premiere on closing night of Edinburgh International Film Festival. In cinemas on Friday, September 26th. On all major VoD platforms on Monday, November 17th.
Don’t forget to read our exclusive interview with Irvine Wrlsg and Paul Sng here.
