From Dream to Screen: Plunging Into “A Complete Unknown”
“As this film is set to release December 25th, there was a premiere that took place on December 13th; which was invite only, and yours truly was invited – thanks to Mr. Noah’s strong connections.”
The scene opens with a thrill, panning to Timothée Chalamet, arriving in New York City. Throughout the city, lots of anti-communist propaganda was plastered all over. “Better Dead Than Red” is one of many quotes you’ll see around the 1960s New York setting, best describing the beliefs and issues at the time this movie takes place. Chalamet plays Bob Dylan, a folk singer from Minnesota. Though he falls into the folk category, through the beginning of the movie, when he's asked about the genre, he often gives an uncertain answer – essentially, not considering himself a folk singer.
This upcoming biographical drama film written and directed by James Mangold – who has also directed films like The Wolverine (2013), Logan (2017), and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – and starring Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan. “A Complete Unknown” is a film that explores the life of Bob Dylan – a revolutionary folk artist – through his experiences as a musician here in New York City. Taking place in the 1960’s, issues like civil rights and the red scare were widespread and featured a tremendous amount of times. Bob Dylan played a fundamental role in this movement with songs like “Blowin’ in The Wind”(1963) and “The Times They Are a- Changin’”(1964) being said to be anthems for civil rights and anti war movements. As this film is set to release December 25th, there was a premiere that took place on December 13th; which was invite only, and yours truly was invited – thanks to Mr. Noah’s strong connections.
“Who was Bob Dylan?” I hear my readers asking, unculturedly. Robert Allen Zimmerman, born to Abram Zimmerman and Beatrice "Beatty" Stone, grew up in a tight-nit Jewish community until Zimmerman was 6. This is when his family decided to move to his mother’s hometown in Hibbing. Zimmerman went on to form several bands while attending Hibbing High School – performing covers, and even having his mic cut by the principal at a talent show because the set was too loud. In September 1959, Zimmerman enrolled at the University of Minnesota. He lived in a Jewish-centric fraternity – Sigma Alpha Mu house. Zimmerman began to perform at a coffee house near his campus, which led to him getting involved with the Dinkytown folk music circuit. Bob Dylan started off in rock and roll, but felt it didn’t provide him enough creative room. This is when he began to introduce himself as Bob Dylan.
In May of 1960, Dylan dropped out of college and traveled toNew York; this is where our story begins. Going into the movie, this is not information you get. Bob Dylan is a mystery. All you know is a young adult – that goes by the name Bob Dylan – has just arrived in New York City with nothing but a guitar.
This movie has a mix of comedic, thrilling, and dramatic themes as we witness Timothée Chalamet, as Bob Dylan, constantly defying standards set for him – while dealing with the struggle of being treated like a spectacle. Throughout the movie, Dylan had an effect on women – that one can only compare to that of Elvis Presley – often portrayed by his treatment of the women around him, and his female fans' reactions to his public appearances. This film is upcoming, releasing December 25th, and with the kind of influence Dylan held, it is an important part of NYC’s history – being a film about a prominent figure in a very impactful time where the world was split between different views on a topic that has been controversial for centuries, yet less controversial today, civil rights.
Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to talk to anyone, in depth, about the movie, so a few questions I had went unanswered (like my prayers), but I can interpret what I’ve seen in the movie along with my smidgen of knowledge on Bob Dylan. First thing that stood out to me; When meeting Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan did NOT consider himself a folk artist. I found this odd because firstly, the genre of his songs were definitely folk, and in the movie Bob Dylan often did covers of folk songs or covered a song in the folk genre. When he eventually started writing his own songs, it started out folk then went to leaning more rock later on in his career. The second thing I found odd while watching the movie, Bob Dylan's consistent slouching, unkempt appearance(long, sometimes dirty, nails) – and apartment. The insane amount of cigarettes shown, and smoked, throughout the film.
As a New Yorker watching the film, I stepped out of the theater and saw the city in a different light. When you eventually decide to watch the film, you may not get the same feelings I did, but I hope you at least appreciate the history that took place here in NYC about 60 years ago.