Tag: Stranger Than Paradise

At first glance, the films of Jim Jarmusch may not seem to have many connections.  For example, what could a samurai-influenced hit man have in common with hard-rocking vampires?  Examining any two of Jarmusch’s films presents us with equally unusual comparisons.  However, all of Jarmusch’s feature films do indeed share a common thread–a journey. The characters in a Jarmusch film share the simple goal of starting somewhere and needing to get somewhere else.  The destination is not necessarily a physical place–most of the journeys are spiritual–but the process is visually communicated via traveling sequences.  There is something unique in the way Jarmusch presents traveling characters.  His camera lingers in confined spaces, communicating a strong sense of significance.  He focuses on facial expressions, which tend to be solemn and focused–they are on a mission, simply to arrive.  Here is a look at characters traveling throughout Jim Jarmusch’s film career.