I’ve never seen a Jim Jarmusch movie, and from what I read in his wikipedia entry, I doubt they’d do much for me. I’m not a fan of self-consciously “art house” stuff. However, I do like this sentiment of his I ran across on Goodreads:
Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery – celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to.”
–Jim Jarmusch
(Original attribution: MovieMaker Magazine #53, Winter, January 22, 2004)
That must be from the book I saw at Barnes & Noble the other day, something like “How To Steal Like an Artist.” I’d never heard of it, and only thought that the store was awfully brave to place it so near the front door. I admit that I mentally scolded the author for such an audacious title, too. I am sorry for it.