Bob Dylan has always had a fascination with film, and this love affair is showcased in his latest biopic, “A Complete Unknown,” starring Timothée Chalamet. The film marks the latest chapter in a lengthy relationship between Dylan and cinema.
Growing up in Hibbing, Minnesota, in the 1940s and ’50s, Bob Dylan was exposed to social conformity. However, it was at the local theaters that he found his escape. He was inspired by Brigitte Bardot, Marlon Brando, James Dean, and European art-house films like Truffaut’s “Shoot the Piano Player” and Fellini’s “La dolce vita.” These influences shaped his music and artistic vision.
Dylan made his film debut in Sam Peckinpah’s “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” which spawned the classic song “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” His music has also enhanced movie scores, including those of “The Big Lebowski” and “St. Vincent.”
One film that stuck with Dylan for decades is Gregory Peck’s “The Gunfighter.” When Peck heard his name in Dylan’s 1986 ballad “Brownsville Girl,” he thanked him personally. This connection highlights the enduring bond between Dylan and cinema.
The new biopic, directed by Craig Zobel, offers a fresh perspective on this relationship. With Chalamet starring as Dylan, it serves as a welcome reminder of the artist’s symbiotic connection with film.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bob-dylans-enduring-love-affair-with-the-movies