Jarmusch’s film Dead Man (1995) is the departure from a typical western genre turned postmodern shown through cinematic qualities that emphasize a surreal feel and dream-like state throughout. The film is shot in black and white and follows the narrative tale of William Blake (Johnny Depp) a man wanted for the murder of a wealthy mans’ son, after he shot him dead in defense on his first night in the western town named Machine. Blake is met by an out casted Native American who goes by the name “Nobody” (Gary Farmer) and saves the life of wounded Blake. Nobody mistakes Blake for the famous poet ‘William Blake’ and says he will take him back to the spirt world where he belongs. The pair are now on a journey to take Blake back to the “spirit world”.
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Blake transforms from a mild-mannered accountant to a notorious old west gunslinger. Jarmusch as director accomplishes a postmodern western by engaging the audience intellectually through cinematic choices regarding the mise-en-scene with filmatic techniques that stray from archetypical western films while still representing elements of its cultural context.
Firstly the film is characterized as a postmodern for the use of postmodern techniques such as surrealism, and the film confining to absurdist ventures. The postmodern techniques characterize films that have been made to challenge conventional ideas of society at the time the film is made. These techniques are particularly evident in the opening sequence connecting the film to the 20th century which it was made. The opening sequence places Blake in a train carriage for his journey to the town of “Machine” for his job interview as an accountant. Of which he encounters bizarre characters and surreal conversations creating a dreamlike state and setting the tone for the remainder of the film. The occupants of the train display a social class change from high-class folk until only the wildest remain; their clothes suggest the late 19th Century. The train …show more content…
The portrayal of the Native American in particular is given a new cinematic identity rather than the former ‘savage’ title emphasized by other artists and the media. The film is regarded as being very well researched in regards to Native American Culture. The film is an honest portrayal of native Americans, rather than revealing them as “savages”, they are shown as civilized tribes people living accordingly to traditional culture separate from the general population. Jarmusch’s film contains hidden un-translated Native American languages such as Cree, Blackfoot and Makah. Even inside jokes directed at a native American audience. Jarmusch comments of this effect: “I didn't want it subtitled. I wanted it to be a little gift for those people who understand the language. … Makah was incredibly difficult; Gary [Farmer] had to learn it phonetically and read it off big cards. Even the Makah people had trouble, because it's a really complicated language.” (Pavel 2008 p
Blake transforms from a mild-mannered accountant to a notorious old west gunslinger. Jarmusch as director accomplishes a postmodern western by engaging the audience intellectually through cinematic choices regarding the mise-en-scene with filmatic techniques that stray from archetypical western films while still representing elements of its cultural context.
Firstly the film is characterized as a postmodern for the use of postmodern techniques such as surrealism, and the film confining to absurdist ventures. The postmodern techniques characterize films that have been made to challenge conventional ideas of society at the time the film is made. These techniques are particularly evident in the opening sequence connecting the film to the 20th century which it was made. The opening sequence places Blake in a train carriage for his journey to the town of “Machine” for his job interview as an accountant. Of which he encounters bizarre characters and surreal conversations creating a dreamlike state and setting the tone for the remainder of the film. The occupants of the train display a social class change from high-class folk until only the wildest remain; their clothes suggest the late 19th Century. The train …show more content…
The portrayal of the Native American in particular is given a new cinematic identity rather than the former ‘savage’ title emphasized by other artists and the media. The film is regarded as being very well researched in regards to Native American Culture. The film is an honest portrayal of native Americans, rather than revealing them as “savages”, they are shown as civilized tribes people living accordingly to traditional culture separate from the general population. Jarmusch’s film contains hidden un-translated Native American languages such as Cree, Blackfoot and Makah. Even inside jokes directed at a native American audience. Jarmusch comments of this effect: “I didn't want it subtitled. I wanted it to be a little gift for those people who understand the language. … Makah was incredibly difficult; Gary [Farmer] had to learn it phonetically and read it off big cards. Even the Makah people had trouble, because it's a really complicated language.” (Pavel 2008 p