Down by Law
Jim Jarmusch, 1986, 107 min, 15

"Following her work on Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas, Denis headed for Louisiana to assist Jim Jarmusch on his self-described “neo-Beat-noir-comedy” about a pimp (John Lurie), a radio DJ (Tom Waits), and a happy-go-lucky Italian immigrant (Roberto Benigni) who meet while sharing a cell in a New Orleans prison. Forming an unlikely friendship, the three misfits escape into the bayou and slog their way through the swamp towards uncertain futures. Photographed in luminous black and white by Wenders’ regular cinematographer Robby Müller, Down by Law parlays its brilliant casting into some of the most uproariously funny moments in movie history, even as it subtly explores the fragility of relationships, the difficulties of living together, and the weight of loneliness." – TIFF

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Part of our season on Claire Denis