Directed by Jim Jarmusch • 1986 • United States
Starring Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni
Director Jim Jarmusch followed up his brilliant breakout film STRANGER THAN PARADISE with another, equally beloved portrait of loners and misfits in the American landscape. When fate brings together three hapless men—an unemployed disc jockey (Tom Waits), a small-time pimp (John Lurie), and a strong-willed Italian tourist (Roberto Benigni)—in a Louisiana prison, a singular adventure ensues. Described by Jarmusch as a “neo-Beat noir comedy,” DOWN BY LAW is part nightmare and part fairy tale, featuring sterling performances and crisp black-and-white cinematography by the esteemed Robby Müller.
The following 1986 press conference features DOWN BY LAW director Jim Jarmusch, executive producer Otto Grokenberger, actor-composer John Lurie, and actors Nicoletta Braschi and Roberto Benigni. The color loss evident in the image is inherent in the master footage.
Tom Waits recorded the Cole Porter classic “It’s All Right with Me” for the 1990 AIDS benefit album “Red Hot + Blue.” This music video for the song was directed by Jim Jarmusch in Los Angeles in 1989. Also included is an audio interview with Jarmusch in which he describes the making of the video.
