Permanent Vacation (1980): In downtown Manhattan, Allie, a twenty-something guy (Chris Parker) whose Father is not around and whose Mother is institutionalized, is a big Charlie Parker fan. He almost subconsciously searches for more meaning in his life and meets a few strange and surreal characters along the way.
Stranger Than Paradise (1984): Winner of the Camera d'Or for Best First Feature at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, Stranger Than Paradise not only launched Jim Jarmusch's career but also earned him recognition from critics as one of today's more inventive and creative filmmakers.
Lounge Lizard musician John Lurie stars as Willie, a disenchanted New Yorker, who along with his best friend Eddie (Richard Edson) and cousin Eva (Eszter Balint), decides it's time to leave behind their boring lives in search of "paradise." But as their unforgettable road trip to Florida unfolds, they find that amidst the sunshine, blue skies and palm trees, their pursuit of happiness is constantly road-blocked by the very thing they can't run away from... themselves.
Down By Law (1986): In one of the hippest comedies ever made, three misfits find themselves thrown together in a New Orleans jail cell. There's Zach the unemployed DJ, Jack the small-time pimp and Bob the crazy Italian tourist. Unavailable for many years, this cult hit stars Tom Waits, John Lurie and the Oscar-winning director and star of Life is Beautiful, Roberto Benigni. A film that firmly established Jim Jarmusch as the coolest director on the American independent scene.
