Mystery Train (D.O.P Robby Müller 1989) w/ Rolla Tahir

Oct 2

two people, a man and a woman, walking in front of a house on an empty street holding a red suit case

Felicia is joined by Rolla Tahir to discuss Robby Müller’s vision of Elvis’ Memphis in the 80’s, in Jim Jarmusch’s Mystery Train (1989).

We chat about Müller’s respect for each character’s story arc, the way the camera follows them on their journeys, and the colours he highlights to differentiate them.

Mystery Train is the final film of my Robby Müller month in focus, I have been so lucky to have five passionate film lovers on to chat about what his work means to them. I loved revisiting (or watching for the first time - 24 Hour Party People), these films and discovering new things about what makes them great.

Send us your thoughts on the episode - which vignette is your favourite? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: seeingfacesinmovies@gmail.com

Follow Rolla here:
IG: @smoking.apples
IG: @torontoarabfilm
Website: www.smokingapples.ca

Sources:
Remembering Robby Müller, NSC, BVK - The American Society of Cinematographers (en-US) (theasc.com)

Celebrating Robby Müller, Who Created Look of Indie Film Classics - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Mystery Train Blu-ray Jim Jarmusch (dvdbeaver.com)

How Mystery Train Dissects Elvis’ Legacy While Barely Showing Him Onscreen (collider.com)

Watch: 23-Minute Masterclass With Famed Cinematographer Robby Müller – IndieWire

Remembering Cinematographer Robby Müller with These Eight Great Scenes - Film Independent

Christophe Honoré’s Top 10 | Current | The Criterion Collection

Hooks, B. (2015). Reel to real: Race, sex and class at the movies. Routledge.

OUTRO SONG:

Tuesday Night in Memphis by John Lurie

FILMS MENTIONED:
Permanent Vacation (Jim Jarmusch 1980)