# Arizona Dream

> 1993 film by Emir Kusturica

**Wikidata**: [Q260616](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q260616)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_Dream)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arizona-dream

## Summary

Arizona Dream is a movie in the comedy drama, adventure film, drama film, and fantasy film genres.It received the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize.

## Summary
Arizona Dream is a 1993 surrealist comedy-drama film directed by Emir Kusturica, starring Johnny Depp, Jerry Lewis, Faye Dunaway, and Lili Taylor. The film blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and drama, exploring themes of dreams, identity, and the American experience through a non-linear narrative set in Arizona.

## Key Facts
- Release date: January 1, 1993 (general), May 13, 1993 (specific)
- Director: Emir Kusturica
- Main cast: Johnny Depp, Jerry Lewis, Faye Dunaway, Lili Taylor
- Genre: Comedy-drama, adventure film, fantasy film
- Production company: StudioCanal
- Country of origin: France, United States
- IMDb ID: tt0106307
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 87%
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10
- Runtime: 142 minutes
- Budget: $19,000,000
- Box office: $507,117
- Awards: Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize (Berlin International Film Festival)
- Wikidata ID: Q11424 (instance of film)
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 39

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Arizona Dream?**
The film follows Axel Blackmar (Johnny Depp), a young man who works in New York selling Cadillacs but is drawn back to Arizona by his eccentric uncle Leo (Jerry Lewis). In Arizona, he becomes entangled with Elaine (Faye Dunaway), an older woman obsessed with flying, and her suicidal stepdaughter Grace (Lili Taylor). The narrative weaves between reality and surreal dream sequences, exploring themes of escape, family, and the pursuit of impossible dreams.

**Who directed Arizona Dream and what is their significance?**
Emir Kusturica, a Serbian filmmaker known for his distinctive surrealist style and magical realism, directed Arizona Dream. Kusturica is a two-time Palme d'Or winner at Cannes and is celebrated for blending comedy, tragedy, and fantasy in his films, often exploring themes of cultural identity and the human condition.

**What awards did Arizona Dream receive?**
Arizona Dream won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 43rd Berlin International Film Festival in 1993, recognizing it as one of the most outstanding films in the competition. This prestigious award highlights the film's artistic merit and international recognition.

**What is the significance of the film's setting in Arizona?**
Arizona serves as both a literal and metaphorical landscape in the film, representing the American West's mythic qualities and the characters' internal landscapes. The desert setting contrasts with the characters' urban backgrounds and symbolizes the vast, often surreal possibilities and limitations of the American Dream.

**How was Arizona Dream received by critics and audiences?**
The film received mixed to positive reviews, with particular praise for its performances, especially Jerry Lewis's dramatic turn, and Kusturica's unique visual style. While it didn't achieve major commercial success (grossing only $507,117 against a $19 million budget), it has since gained cult status and is considered a significant work in Kusturica's filmography.

## Why It Matters
Arizona Dream matters as a unique cross-cultural collaboration that brought Eastern European surrealist sensibilities to American cinema, creating a distinctive vision of the American experience. The film represents a significant moment in 1990s independent cinema, blending art-house aesthetics with mainstream Hollywood talent. Its exploration of dreams versus reality, and the tension between individual desires and societal expectations, resonates with universal themes while maintaining a distinctly Kusturican sensibility. The film's production history—involving international financing, a multinational cast, and a director working outside his cultural context—makes it a fascinating case study in global cinema production. Its cult following and critical re-evaluation over time demonstrate how films can transcend their initial commercial reception to become culturally significant works that challenge conventional narrative structures and explore the boundaries between comedy and tragedy.

## Notable For
- **Cross-cultural collaboration**: First English-language film by Serbian director Emir Kusturica
- **Star power**: Features dramatic performances by comedy legend Jerry Lewis and Hollywood icon Faye Dunaway
- **Surrealist style**: Blends magical realism with American settings in a uniquely Kusturican manner
- **Critical recognition**: Won Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at Berlin International Film Festival
- **Cult status**: Despite modest box office, has developed a dedicated following over decades
- **Narrative innovation**: Non-linear storytelling that blurs lines between dreams and reality
- **Thematic depth**: Explores complex themes of identity, family, and the American Dream through surreal lens
- **Production significance**: Represents international co-production between French and American film industries

## Body

### Production and Creative Team
Arizona Dream was directed by Emir Kusturica, the acclaimed Serbian filmmaker known for his distinctive surrealist style and magical realism. The film was produced by Claudie Ossard through her company, with StudioCanal serving as the production company. Kusturica's direction brought his Eastern European sensibility to an American setting, creating a unique cultural hybrid. The screenplay was written by David Atkins, who collaborated with Kusturica to craft the film's non-linear narrative structure.

### Cast and Performances
The film features an ensemble cast of notable actors. Johnny Depp stars as Axel Blackmar, the protagonist whose journey anchors the narrative. Jerry Lewis delivers a dramatic performance as Uncle Leo, marking a departure from his comedic roles and earning critical acclaim. Faye Dunaway plays Elaine, bringing her characteristic intensity to the role of the older woman obsessed with flying. Lili Taylor portrays Grace, Elaine's troubled stepdaughter, in a performance that balances vulnerability and volatility. The cast also includes Vincent Gallo and Paulina Porizkova in supporting roles.

### Genre and Style
Arizona Dream defies easy categorization, blending multiple genres into a cohesive whole. It is primarily classified as a comedy-drama, but incorporates strong elements of adventure film and fantasy film. The film's surrealist approach, characteristic of Kusturica's work, creates a dream-like atmosphere where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. This stylistic choice allows the film to explore its themes through symbolic imagery and non-linear storytelling, creating a unique viewing experience that challenges conventional narrative expectations.

### Setting and Cinematography
The film is set primarily in Arizona, with the desert landscape serving as both a physical location and a metaphorical space. Cinematographer Vilko Filač captures the stark beauty of the American Southwest, using the vast, open spaces to reflect the characters' internal states and the film's themes of isolation and possibility. The visual style combines realistic depictions of the desert environment with surreal, dream-like sequences that create a distinctive aesthetic that is both grounded and fantastical.

### Themes and Narrative Structure
Arizona Dream explores several interconnected themes through its complex narrative structure. The concept of dreams—both literal and metaphorical—permeates the film, with characters pursuing various forms of escape and transformation. The American Dream is examined through a critical lens, with the Arizona setting serving as a symbol for both opportunity and disillusionment. Family dynamics, particularly the relationship between Axel and his uncle Leo, provide emotional grounding for the more surreal elements. The film's non-linear structure, with its frequent shifts between reality and dream sequences, mirrors the characters' psychological states and reinforces the film's exploration of identity and perception.

### Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, Arizona Dream received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising its performances and visual style while noting its unconventional narrative approach. The film's commercial performance was modest, grossing $507,117 against a budget of $19 million. However, its critical recognition, including the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, established its artistic merit. Over time, the film has developed a cult following, with particular appreciation for Jerry Lewis's dramatic performance and Kusturica's distinctive directorial vision. The film is now considered an important work in 1990s independent cinema and a significant example of cross-cultural filmmaking.

### Cultural and Industry Context
Arizona Dream represents a significant moment in the globalization of cinema during the 1990s. The collaboration between a Serbian director and American actors and production companies exemplifies the increasing international exchange in the film industry. The film's production involved French and American companies, reflecting the complex financing structures of independent cinema during this period. Its blend of art-house aesthetics with mainstream talent also illustrates the fluid boundaries between independent and studio filmmaking in the early 1990s.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 142 minutes, making it a substantial work that allows for its complex narrative and thematic development. The budget of $19 million was significant for an independent film of this nature, reflecting the involvement of high-profile talent both in front of and behind the camera. The film's technical aspects, including Vilko Filač's cinematography and the production design, contribute to its distinctive visual style that combines realism with surrealism.

### Distribution and Availability
Arizona Dream was distributed internationally, though its commercial release was limited compared to mainstream Hollywood productions. The film's availability has varied over time, with periods of limited distribution contributing to its cult status. Its recognition at international film festivals, particularly the Berlin International Film Festival, helped establish its reputation in the global film community and contributed to its ongoing availability through various distribution channels.

## References

1. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106307/)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/arizona-dream)
3. [Full Cast & Crew. IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106307/fullcredits)
4. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. The Movie Database
7. Arizona Dream. Rotten Tomatoes
8. Unifrance
9. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
10. [kinokalender.com](http://www.kinokalender.com/film1408_arizona-dream.html)
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. Arizona Dream
13. Mubi
14. [Source](https://www.spio-fsk.de/asp/filestream.asp?dir=karte&file=0511%5C69570aVDVD%2Epdf)
15. Kinopoisk
16. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/arizona-dream/)
17. AlloCiné
18. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
19. film distribution certificate
20. Cineplex
21. Online-Filmdatenbank
22. mymovies.it
23. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/C138-0EBE-79EA-8DF3-045D-U)
24. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/89886)
25. Trakt.tv
26. FilmVandaag.nl