Jim Jarmusch: Reflecting the History of Independent Films in America Essay

Films, just like people, possess colorful history. Its origin can buoy be rooted as early as 1860s when devices to capture motion pictures were invented. The year 1888 marked the making of the worlds early exposurethe Roundhay Garden Sceneby Louis Le Prince. But early carrymakers felt no triumph in silent and black-and-white films. Thus, the succeeding movies slowly gained narratives, followed later on by musical scores, inserted with hold out effects, and then became colored. However, the evolution of film never ended there.During the late 1970s and early 1980s, an new(prenominal) milestone in filmmaking took placethe birth of independent films. One of the most- acclaimed and popular indie film directors in the united States who made a great impact during that time is Jim Jarmusch. Until now, his films atomic number 18 regarded, not only in the States but also in European and Asian countries, as some of the finest independent films ever made. His look and works became an i nspiration and model for otherwise filmmakers and film critics, which probably caused Juan Suarez to write his biography.About the Book Jim Jarmusch ( coetaneous Film Directors), the title of Juan Suarez book, in a biographical sketch of the American director Jim Jarmusch, not simply narrating the latters life, influences, works, and achievements, but analyzing as well the content and themes of his films by relating them to history and socio-political issues present during these films were created. synopsis A Stranger Here Myself The introductory paragraphs of the book talk about the salient characteristics of Jim Jarmuschs films.Jarmusch is know for his unique style emphasizing slow- movements, minimalistic space, characters exploration, intimate scenes, cynical humor, blank effect, and art cinema during 1960s to 1970s. His characters are often distant from the spectators, alone and aloof, but not necessarily sad or tragic. His plots, on the other hand, are based more on non- d ramatic situations or else than on conflicts. In addition, Jarmusch focuses on the opthalmic and aural aspects of film. Meanwhile, the themes of Jarmusch movies are based on postmodern politics, specifically on issues of transients and immigrants.He is also fascinated in exploring ethnicity, nationality, and social classes. Juan Suarez then enumerates his objectives in writing the book. First is to psychoanalyse what makes Jim Jarmuschs films distinct, and second is to analyze those films in a larger context, separate from the director, using them in understanding historical developments, such as the New York vanguards, rock n roll, punk, hip hop, Beat literature, postwar art and cinemas, structural films, European surrealism and others. Akron/ The Cinematheque/ Lightning oer WaterThis particular prick discusses about the early life and works of Jim Jarmursh, as well as his early influences. The above keywordsAkron, The Cinematheque, and Lightning all over Waterall played a vit al role in his life. Jarmusch was born in Akron, Ohio in 1953, which by then is an important industrial point. Here, he was immensely loose to rock n roll, radio DJs, and cars that eventually became appeared in his films. After studying college in Columbia, he went to Paris where he was exposed to Henri Langlois, founder of the art gallery Cinematheque.Langlois was also one of Jarmuschs influences and who was know for his participation in the French New Wave. When he went back, Jarmusch enrolled at New York University where he was appointed as a student assistant to Nicholas Ray. With this, Jarmusch was exposed in Rays ongoing film The Lightning over Water. Right after this, Jarmusch made his first film, Permanent Vacation. His early influences were reflected in this particular work immaculate American cinema, European art, and downtown experimental culture ( Suarez, p.9). Downtown Post-Pop The section tackles downtown New York organism a topic in Jarmuschs films, particularly du ring the mid-1970s and early 1980s. Experimental art during such generation was still a combination of pop, minimalism, and performance experimental cinema, on one hand, focused more on narratives and social contextualization. In addition, Suarez included in this section the status of experimental art in sundry(a) fields, as well as the people concerned (i. e. The Kitchen). PunkThe author particularly discusses in this section Jirmuschs contribution in the blurring of boundaries between experimental art and mass art. His made his works by means of the punk or new wave culture, particularly focusing on the role of music. Punk filmmakers introduced over again the use and role of content in experimental films by utilizing pastiched film noir, thrillers, exploitation and television serials (Suarez, p. 17). virtually of these films were rooted on the themes tackling trash culture and rock n roll the 1960s underground.Venues of these films, on the other hand, were taken inside down town clubs such as Mudd, Club 57, and Maxs Kansas City. With the loud healthful offered by the nightclubs, experimental films became known for the following characteristics encouraging spectators to be distracted by loud music, dancing, drinking, and socializing, rather than to be in full concentration when viewing. Similarly, the characters were mostly punk musicians such as John Lurie, drawing card of Lounge Lizard, for the film The Offenders. Jim Jarmusch, in fact, was a member of the band Del Byzanteens. Pretty VacantAlthough Jarmusch tried to undo punk scenes from his films Permanent Vacation and Stranger than Paradise, he nevertheless acknowledged the influence of punk culture in his filmmaking. Permanent Vacation was made possible through the money granted to him by the Louis B. Mayer Foundation. Because of its length, the film was turned down when Jarmusch presented it as his graduation project. The movie explores the life of Allie, a tourist on a permanent vacation (Sua rez, p. 21). The story was told in first-person point- of- view. Allie was recounting his remaining days in New York sooner leaving for Paris.Here, he narrated his intentions for his girlfriend Leila, visited his mother Ruth who is in psychiatric hospital, met several friends and acquaintances, and stole a car. The movie is said to be an early manifestation of Jirmuschs navigation towards magic realism that testament be evident in his future films, infusing fantasies and dreamlike features in the story. For example, Allie first speech was I cant get any sleepI have my dreams while I am awake. ( Suarez, p. 22). This controversy clearly shows the blurring of reality and dreams in the said film.Even the music used in this particular film was somehow eerie and creepy, composed mainly of Javanese gamelan music. In addition, most scenes were static takes and focused on minimalistic details. This style presented in the Permanent Vacation is truly characterized by Jirmuschs unique way of intermingle minimalism, stories of outsiders, downtown themes, and stylized narratives that subtly blend the real and the unreal (Suarez, p. 27).Work CitedSuarez, Juan Antonio. Jim Jarmusch Contemporary Film Directors. ground forces University of Illinois Press, 2007