As a result of his early work , Jarmusch became an influential representative of the trend of the American road movie . Not intended to appeal to mainstream filmgoers , these early Jarmusch films were embraced by art house audiences , gaining a small but dedicated American following and cult status in Europe and Japan . Each of the four films had its premiere at the New York Film Festival , while '' Mystery Train '' was in competition at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival . Jarmusch 's distinctive aesthetic and '' auteur '' status fomented a critical backlash at the close of this early period , however ; though reviewers praised the charm and adroitness of '' Mystery Train '' and '' Night On Earth '' , the director was increasingly charged with repetitiveness and risk-aversion
1989 Cannes Film Festival
1989 Cannes Film Festival
Jim Jarmusch