Jarmusch: Grief, Greed, and Indie Cinema's Magic

Jim Jarmusch, a celebrated figure in US independent cinema since the 1980s, is promoting his new film, "Father Mother Sister Brother." The anthology, set in New Jersey, Dublin, and Paris, explores family dynamics and motifs like skateboarders weaving through traffic. It recently won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Jarmusch, known for his distinctive style and low-key performances from stars, emphasizes humanism over scripts about money or revenge.

He fondly remembers working with Gena Rowlands, particularly on "Night on Earth," highlighting her remarkable presence and dedication. Jarmusch also discusses a missed opportunity to direct a John Cassavetes script for Rowlands, ultimately turning it down to make "Dead Man." He positions himself as a humanist romantic, influenced by Cassavetes and David Lynch.

"Father Mother Sister Brother" features segments like "Father," where siblings grapple with their manipulative father's financial insecurity, and "Mother," about a bestselling author and her distant daughters. The film "Sister" follows twins reuniting in Paris after their parents' death. Jarmusch's rapid scriptwriting process often begins with casting, as seen with casting Tom Waits as Adam Driver's father and Mayim Bialik as his sister.

Despite winning Venice's top prize, Jarmusch remains detached from artistic competition, cherishing the celebratory Italian reception. He adheres to his principle of walking away from potential backers who request creative compromises. Jarmusch views energy as cyclical, akin to Eastern philosophies, and focuses on living in the present moment, appreciating life amidst global fragility.