Criterion Close-Up – Episode 51 – Mystery Train & Jim Jarmusch

Criterion Close-Up

Mark and Aaron are joined by Marcus Pinn to explore the filmography of Jim Jarmusch, beginning with Mystery Train (1989). We explore the triple storyline, the coalescence of the director’s indie experience and arthouse sensibilities, and the film’s sense of place. We then dive into his library and style, and choose our five favorite Jarmusch films.

About the film:

Aloof teenage Japanese tourists, a frazzled Italian widow, and a disgruntled British immigrant all converge in the city of dreams—which, in Mystery Train, from Jim Jarmusch, is Memphis. Made with its director’s customary precision and wit, this triptych of stories pays playful tribute to the home of Stax Records, Sun Studio, Graceland, Carl Perkins, and, of course, the King, who presides over the film like a spirit. Mystery Train is one of Jarmusch’s very best movies, a boozy and beautiful pilgrimage to an iconic American ghost town and a paean to the music it gave the world.

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Special Guest: Marcus Pinn from Pinnland Empire. You can follow him on Twitter.

2:15 – TIFF talk with Marcus

17:40 – Criterion Connection “Shelved”

19:00 – Mystery Train

1:01:00 – Jim Jarmusch

• The Pink Smoke
• Cut Print Film
• Wrong Reel 181: TIFF
• Marcus’ Interview with Claire Denis
• Criterion Completion
• Mystery Train – IMDB
• Mystery Train – Criterion
• Marcus’ History – Stranger than Paradise
• Aaron’s Essay on Down by Law
• The Newsstand 64 – December 2016 Releases

Episode Credits

• Mark Hurne: Twitter | Letterboxd
• Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
• Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email
• Music from Ben Model: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Next time on the podcast: Carnival of Souls