A showcase of Jim Jarmusch films
If the American independent film scene were to have a leading figure, it would be director, screenwriter and musician Jim Jarmusch. A tall, lifelong white-haired native of the American Midwest who began his filmmaking career as the 1980s dawned and in 2019 released his latest feature, his 16th so far. His original screenplays, colorful characters and atypical storytelling have earned him a place as one of the most popular directors of his time, as well as dozens of awards from leading international film festivals.
His auteurist imprint is characterized above all by a sense of fluid narrative reminiscent of real-life conversations, which he complements with a brilliantly mixed soundtrack that blends American musical genres across the board. But the inimitable charm of these films lies primarily in the ease and organic believability of the dialogue Jarmusch's characters have with each other. The protagonists are united by their philosophy of life, based on the fact that they rather wander through life as apparent outsiders, but who passionately debate both banalities and deep feelings, or the meaning of life. In the title roles, then, non-actors regularly alternate with Hollywood's biggest acting stars or, even more often, with major artists on the music scene.
We decided to dedicate the March film programme to Jarmusch's early work from the 1980s, because it is what defined his style and brought him to the top. Four films will be amply sufficient to introduce his poetics. Specifically, audiences can look forward to the legendary auteur films STRANGER THAN PARADISE (1984), OUT OF LAW (1986) and THE SECRET TRAIN (1989), all of which have competed and won at Cannes, Sundance and other leading IFFs. These three films were made shortly after each other at a time when Jarmusch could already lean financially on larger producers who trusted his art based on the success of his debut low-budget film, Permanent Vacation (1980). His newly energized filmmaking freedom and desire to push the American independent scene in new directions made film history.
March's showcase will conclude with one of Jarmusch's most critically acclaimed and popular films, the short story short CAFE AND THE CIGAR (2003), which has achieved cult status and earned several sequels. Many fans can't imagine a Jarmusch film without a cameo from punkster Iggy Pop or bluesman Tom Waits. In Coffee and Cigarettes, you'll see both of these music legends in their famous scene together, with nothing more than a coffee in hand and a cigarette in the corner. Each screening will be accompanied by a contextual introduction by our dramaturgs. So all that's left to do is grab a coffee at our bar, light up a cigar in the atrium, and be transported into the world of Jim Jarmusch with the rest of us. Four Mondays, third floor.
DISCLAIMER: We do not encourage smoking.
By Michael Bukovanský
