STRANGER THAN PARADISE

Jim Jarmusch’s second feature-length film is one of the cornerstones of American indie cinema. A drifter named Willie, his friend Eddie, and his cousin who is visiting him set off on a drive southeast from New York City. With its three part narrative structure consisting of 67 static scenes, its black-and-white photographic texture reminiscent of Antonioni’s films, and John Lurie’s (who is also one of the three leading roles in the film) string music as well as the film’s signature song, “I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Stranger Than Paradise is both American and European while embodying its own peculiarity.