Happy Birthday: Jim Jarmusch

Jim Jarmusch

Born: January 22, 1953 in Akron, Ohio, USA

I know. It’s all so . . . independent. I’m so sick of that word. I reach for my revolver when I hear the word ‘quirky.’ Or ‘edgy.’ Those words are now becoming labels that are slapped on products to sell them. Anyone who makes a film that is the film they want to make, and it is not defined by marketing analysis or a commercial enterprise, is independent. My movies are kind of made by hand. They’re not polished — they’re sort of built in the garage. It’s more like being an artisan in some way.

I consider myself a dilettante in a positive way, and I always have. That affects my sense of filmmaking.

Down by Law 1986 dir. Jarmusch Starring Tom Waits Ellen Barkin Mystery Train 1989 dir. Jarmusch Cast Masatoshi Nagase Jodie Markell Night on Earth