What does tobacco point to?

Keshaun 2022-01-09 08:02:01

In "DEAD MAN", Indians repeatedly asked "Is there any tobacco?" In this film, Ava was always worried about whether such easy-smoked cigarettes could be sold elsewhere.
This is what I think about Jamush's consistent image expression in the two films (with a distance of more than ten years), that is, the limited desires. Both films are characters with thin desires. Of course, it's great that Jamux doesn't make this point artificial in the setting of the character's identity. They are all small people who only live their lives, not intellectuals or motivated people with elite consciousness. Regarding desire, in terms of diet, three cowboys in "DEAD MAN" eat beans by the campfire in the woods. A cowboy tells his companion who cooks beans: "I have to admit that your beans are really bad." The other said that his stomach was broken long ago. The same is true for this film. They don't have any interest in hot dogs. The "TV meal" and the Hungarian craftsmanship of aunt are enough to send them away. In terms of sex, this film does not cover it. "DEAD MAN" has a little bit, but all of them seem to be in low mood and exude a cold luster. In other words, what Jamusch created is a world in which desires are limited or even negligible. As far as I can see, I think that understanding his movie should be based on this.
Tobacco is clearly a symbol of this desire. On the one hand, desire was emphasized and cherished (Ava left two packs of cigarettes when she bid farewell to Willie and then took away half a cigarette); on the other hand, desire appeared humble and petite. This may be the truth of mankind. This "world view" is doomed to his "independence."

View more about Stranger Than Paradise reviews

Extended Reading

Stranger Than Paradise quotes

  • Willie: How much money we got?

    Eddie: I don't know. We got a lot.

    Willie: How much is a lot, Eddie?

    Eddie: We got a lot. We got almost six hundred dollars!

    Willie: You're alright, Eddie. You know.

    Eddie: We're a coupla rich men now.

  • Billy: Hey, said you'd go to the movies with me the other night. Do you want to see "Space Wizards" or that foreign flick down at the Olympia - "Days Without Sun"? Do you want to see that?

    Eva: I don't know. Isn't there a kung fu movie?