Rootless Hungarian émigré Willie (John Lurie), his pal Eddie (Richard Edson), and visiting sixteen-year-old cousin Eva (Eszter Balint) always manage to make the least of any situation, whether aimlessly traversing the drab interiors and environs of New York City, Cleveland, or an anonymous Florida suburb. With its delicate humor and dramatic nonchalance, Jim Jarmusch’s one-of-a-kind minimalist masterpiece, Stranger Than Paradise, forever transformed the landscape of American independent cinema. —The Criterion Collection
With his trademark shock of white hair and ultra-cool rock star persona, Jim Jarmusch is the archetypal auteur of American independent film. Born on January 22, 1953, in Akron, OH, Jarmusch was the son of a former film critic for the Akron Beacon Journal. In University, he went to Paris as an exchange student and spend most of his time at the Parisian Cinemas. Upon his return to New York, Jarmusch transferred to Columbia University, where, though he eventually received a degree in English literature. With no film experience, he was accepted into New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and soon found himself a teaching assistant to legendary maverick filmmaker Nicholas Ray. Ray helped him get funding for his thesis project, Permanent Vacation (1980). Though the film was later released to critical acclaim, his professors were underwhelmed by his final project and Jarmusch never got a degree from N.Y.U.
Jarmusch’s break came with his next film; the 30-minute short eventually… read more
A film for youth with a touch of a bit French New Wave (I think so), but on a deeper tone, it's like displaying Hungarian and American differences in terms of lifestyle, family relationships and culture.. First Jarmursch and it rocks!!!!!
This film put a spell on me!
I knew I’d love this film when I saw Willie telling his Hungarian mother to speak English instead of Hungarian.
Stranger Than Paradise is quite possibly… read review
It’s astonishing how such clean, spare filmmaking can yield something so rich, so sublime. I saw this in a packed college theatre (which is impressive considering this film is now 25 years old, older… read review
Jim Jarmusch’s breakthough film is a unique and oddly compelling delight. It’s as if Antonioni made a slacker comedy. The film might not be for everyone, but once you come under its spell it will never… read review
one of my favourite films and i am gagging to see it on the big screen… i just discovered this strangest little tv episode called ‘fishing with john’, where john lurie takes some of his film and music… read review