On a personal note, I have a wee story 'bout this flick.

I was first introduced to Jarmusch's films by the then artistic director of the theatre company I was with in Toronto, "Q-ART THEATRE CO-OP". The fella's name was Gabor Zsigovics, a burly bearded Hungarian-North American (like Jarmusch) who ruled with a bit of a dictators hand. I became fast friends with he and his family, eating many-a-dinner of paprikash chicken and dumplings with them whilst discussing theatre, films, politics and so on.

The first of the JJ films Gabor introduced me to was "Stranger Than Paradise", and I immediately fell in love with the language that is Jarmusch's, as well as the Hungarian humor and pacing that runs through many of his earlier films.

Gabor's niece, Andrea, was to be visiting Canada, and he'd decided that I was the only actor in the company that wasn't a degenerate, and that I would be assigned to keep her company and entertain her during her month and a half long visit. Being the nice young man I was, I agreed to this arrangement.

Well, when I met Andrea, the first thing I realized was she was the spitting image of Eszter Balint who plays Eva, the visiting cousin in "Stranger Than Paradise", except that Andrea has dyed blonde hair. She didn't speak word-one of english, and my Hungarian was rudimentary at best.

We went to the movies and out for dinner and sight seeing, and then, after only 2 dates, this gal jumped me, much to my surprise! I was pretty pleased 'bout this, as I thought she was lovely and funny and exotic in that Eastern European way. I was a kid (20 years old) and I figured why not enjoy!

We somehow managed to communicate just by hand signals, a few words, and eye contact, and man - we fell hard for each other!

She headed back to Hungary, and we wrote back and forth for a while. I even phoned a couple of times, which meant talking first with the only neighbors within the housing block with a phone and then connecting with her. I sent her flowers which were considered quite the luxurious treat by the family.

Well... we eventually grew apart, as do most long-distance relationships. Still though, when I watch "STRANGER THAN PARADISE" I get wee pangs and wonder what Andrea is doing these days...

Sweet sentimental turd that I am...

T.Paul