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It's no mystery that Jim Jarmusch is open about who and what he borrows/steals from...
Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from - it’s where you take them to. - Jim Jarmusch
But if we're getting specific, Chantal Akerman might be one of the top 5 (possibly top 3) directors that he references. Both intentionally and subconsciously...
Do you know a film she made called Toute Une Nuit? It all takes place in one night and keeps jumping among different characters and back around. It's really a beautiful film. It's one of my favorites of hers - Jim Jarmusch
Everyone from critics...
No doubt Jim Jarmucsh was taking notes - Scott Tobias on Akerman's influence
With its dislocated travelogue, Stranger Than Paradise suggests Wenders’s Kings of the Road; the transcendently shabby moonscapes evoke Chantal Akerman’s News from Home, and the absence of reverse angles her Jeanne Dielman; while the shaggy-dog narrative and vignette structure are anticipated by Jim Benning’s 8 1/2 x 11 and 11 x 14 - J Hoberman
to Akerman herself all seem to agree...
Oh he [Jim Jarmusch] takes everything from me - Chantal Akerman
Enjoy...
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Toute Une Nuit / Down By Law |
News From Home / Permanent Vacation |
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Les Rendezvous D'Anna / Mystery Train |
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Les Rendezvous D'Anna / Mystery Train |
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Les Rendezvous D'Anna / Mystery Train |
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Toute Une Nuit / Stranger Than Paradise |
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Toute Une Nuit / Stranger Than Paradise |
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Toute Une Nuit / Mystery Train |
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Toute Une Nuit / Mystery Train |
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Toute Une Nuit / Mystery Train |
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Les Rendezvous D'Anna / Vers Nancy |
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Saute Ma Ville / Stranger Than Paradise |
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Les Rendezvous D'Anna / Mystery Train |
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Toute Une Nuite / Mystery Train |
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Toute Une Nuite / Mystery Train |
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Jeanne Dielman... / Stranger Than Paradise |
Saute Ma Ville / Permanent Vacation |
The Family Business / Mystery Train |
It should also be noted that the admiration between the filmmakers was reciprocal as Akerman probably borrowed (back) from Jarmusch herself...
Mystery Train / J'ai Faim, J'ai Froid |
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Stranger Than Paradise / J'ai Faim, J'ai Froid |
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Stranger Than Paradise / J'ai Faim, J'ai Froid |
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Stranger Than Paradise / J'ai Faim, J'ai Froid |
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Stranger Than Paradise / J'ai Faim, J'ai Froid |
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Stranger Than Paradise / J'ai Faim, J'ai Froid |