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Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch is More Interested in Character than Plot

Jarmusch is a rare, young director whose independent films are widely distributed, including his first feature, Permanent Vacation, and the Camera d'Or-winning Stranger than Paradise. His latest film, called Mystery Train. is now out on home video.

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Other segments from the episode on December 3, 1990

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, December 3, 1990: Interview with Jim Jarmusch; Review of the CD box set "Jelly Roll Morton: The Complete Victor Recordings"; Interview with Robert Cray; Review of the…
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05:39

A Box Set of Jelly Roll Morton's Best Work

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Jelly Roll Morton: The Complete Victor Recordings," released on the occasion of the musician's 100th anniversary. Morton is widely considered to be the first great jazz composer, and is finding more acclaim now than he did while he was alive.

Review
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10:26

Blues Guitarist and Singer Robert Cray

Unlike other blues musicians whose sound is rooted in a particular place, Cray moved around the country throughout his youth. His hits include such songs as "Smoking Gun" and "I Guess I Showed Her." He's got a new album now, Midnight Stroll, which revives the the style of 1960s soul.

Interview
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03:29

"The Divine Garbo" Is Far from Divine

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the new documentary about Greta Garbo. He says it fails to capture her allure. But he's willing to forgive the misstep --- TNT will also broadcast 11 of Garbo's classic films.

Review

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11:25

Comic Turned Actor Rick Aviles.

Street performer turned film actor Rick Aviles (a-VEEL-us). Aviles started out doing comedy on the streets of Manhattan, and was named "Comic of the Year" by the Village voice in 1980. He's since appeared in the movies "Mondo NY," "Street Smart," and "Spike of Bensonhurst." Aviles has a part in Jim Jarmusch's new movie, "Mystery Train."

Interview
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23:01

Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch is More Interested in Character than Plot.

Film director Jim Jarmusch. After his first feature, "Permanent Vacation," gained a cult as well as a critical following in Europe, Jarmusch made "Stranger Than Paradise," which won the Camera d'Or at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival. Jarmusch's third feature was "Down By Law." His new film is called "Mystery Train." It's set in a seedy hotel in Memphis, Tennessee and tells the story of two young Japanese tourists.

Interview
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22:00

Jim Jarmusch's Gritty, Witty and Melancholy World

Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch's new film Broken Flowers stars Bill Murray and won the Grand Prix at the 2005 Cannes International Film Festival. Other films by the idiosyncratic director/writer, known for his deadpan style, include Coffee and Cigarettes, Down by Law and Night on Earth.

Interview

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