TODD HAYNES HAILS BOB DYLAN

Todd Haynes pays tribute to the singer songwriter with seven different actors in I’m Not There.

Director Todd Haynes takes a unique trip through the artist Bob Dylan’s life in I’m Not There where he illustrates seven different facets of his complex personality. There’s the Prophet and Spiritualist played by Christian Bale, the Enigma played by Ben Whishaw and The Innovator expertly played by Cate Blanchett.

Haynes wanted to honor Dylan’s musical contributions and all his creativity to show how one person can make an impact in so many ways by just writing songs. Haynes says it’s hard to find another Dylan out there to inspire change.

“It’s hard to find the new Dylan as each generation has always sort of tried to do. But if anything he’s opened up the barn doors on what’s possible in a popular medium like music to allow for all kinds of people to take part and all kinds of poets to exist like philosophical songwriters, whatever. And in that way they all are allowed to be what they are largely because of things Dylan did.”

Haynes has never met Dylan before but he hopes he’ll give the film two thumbs up.

“I hope he digs it. I hope he can enjoy it because it’s meant to be playful. It’s meant to not be this super serious heavy kind of a movie. And I think he’s probably ready for something like that.”

Thirty-three Bob Dylan songs have been reinterpreted for the film. Christian Bale as Dylan from 1962-1964 lip synchs over tracks sung by folk singer Mason Jennings, and John Doe from the band X sings the gospel song Pressing On. I’m Not There opens Friday November 21st in theaters.