About Stranger Than Paradise

"Stranger Than Paradise" is a 1984 American black-and-white absurdist/deadpan comedy film. The movie, written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, features a minimalist plot revolving around three characters who are played by John Lurie, Eszter Balint and Richard Edson.

The film presents a story of a New Yorker and his experiences with his Hungarian cousin from Hungary and his best friend throughout the frozen landscape of Lake Erie and the drab, gray streets of Cleveland and Detroit.

Making / Production

The production was low budget, shot on 16mm film over the course of a year. The film is divided into three segments: The New World, One Year later, and Paradise. Its straightforward storytelling, contrasted with its unconventional characters and dialogues, made it a cult classic.

Actors

• John Lurie as Willie, a Hungarian immigrant in New York. He plays the character with a classic nonchalance, giving a new dimension to the depiction of an immigrant experience.
• Eszter Balint as Eva, who portrays Willie's 16-year-old cousin from Hungary. Her portrayal of the character gives it an innocent charm and a youthful vitality.
• Richard Edson as Eddie, Willie's friend, who complements John’s apathetic performance with a sense of emotional accessibility.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is shot entirely in long, uninterrupted takes, often focusing on a single static frame.
• The film had its world premiere at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Caméra d'Or.
• Despite its low budget, the film grossed more than $2,000,000 at the box office.

Awards

"Stranger Than Paradise" won several awards upon its release. It won the Caméra d'Or award at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival. It also took home the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

Quotes

• "You know, it's funny...you come to someplace new, and everything looks just the same."
• "I put a spell on you...because you're mine."
• "It's Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and he's a wild man, so bug off!"

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's minimalistic soundtrack heavily features Hungarian music and Screamin' Jay Hawkins' song, "I Put a Spell on You".
• The usage of the Screamin' Jay Hawkins song helped it regain popularity in modern culture.