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RUNTIME
Did you know
Tight 75-minute runtime β shorter than most television pilots.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#01
Permanent Vacation
1981 1h 15m EN
π
5.9
MID
β
5.9TMDB Β· 223
ComedyDrama
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
In downtown Manhattan, twentysomething Allie, whose father is not around and whose mother is institutionalized, is a big Charlie Parker fan. He almost subconsciously searches for meaning in his life and meets some idiosyncratic characters along the way.
βSome stories are better left unspoiled.β
Cast
Chris Parker
Allie
Leila Gastil
Leila
John Lurie
Sax Player
Richard Boes
War Vet
Sara Driver
Nurse
Charlie Spademan
Patient
Jane Fire
Nurse
Ruth Bolton
Mother
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Jim Jarmusch
- Writers
- Jim Jarmusch, Jim Jarmusch
- Languages
- Spanish, English
- Countries
- United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts πΏ
2 / 8
MONEY
Did you know
Shot for just $0.0M β micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#02
3 / 8
ERA
Did you know
45 years old β old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#03
4 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Spanish, English.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#04
5 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Jim Jarmusch, shot by James A. Lebovitz. Note their partnership β DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#05
6 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Jim Jarmusch shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#06
7 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Chris Parker and Leila Gastil and John Lurie carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#07
8 / 8
WILD
Did you know
IMDB entry: tt0084488 β still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Jim Jarmusch directs. James A. Lebovitz behind the camera. Jim Jarmusch cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in Spanish, English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 1Tight 75-minute runtime β shorter than most television pilots.
- 2Shot for just $0.0M β micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
- 345 years old β old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
- 4Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Spanish, English.
- 5Directed by Jim Jarmusch, shot by James A. Lebovitz. Note their partnership β DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 6Editor Jim Jarmusch shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 7Chris Parker and Leila Gastil and John Lurie carry the top of the cast.
- 8IMDB entry: tt0084488 β still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- James A. Lebovitz
- Editing
- Jim Jarmusch
- Runtime
- 75 min Β· 1h 15m
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $12,000
- Original language
- EN
- Certification (US)
- NR
Also by
Jim Jarmusch
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Community reviews
What people are saying
- RottenPopβ 6/10
A slice-of-life student film from legendary filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, Permanent Vacation follows young Aloysius Allie Parker, a teenager obsessed with jazz genius Charlie Parker, who is searching for meaning in his life. He drifts through New York City without a clear destination, guided more by feeling than intent. Along the way, he encounters strange and compelling people who briefly enter his life, offering moments of reflection, confusion, and quiet connection rather than answers. Itβs not hard to identify with Allie. Heβs a bright young man whose interest in music is a big part of his personality. Heβs full of wonder as he enters the world in his own way. His wanderings and encounters are memorable, which matters because they make up the body of the film. The characters are unplugged, fully present, and each is presented with their own quirks and flaws. That serves to keep the film feeling realistic. And in our modern screen-heavy world, that kind of thing feels nostalgic. For the full review: Stay Tuned for the 150 Movies of 1980 Guide
Production companies
Who made it
- CI
Cinesthesia Productions
US
Key crew
- ProducerJim Jarmusch
- EditorJim Jarmusch
- ThanksEllie Hamerow
- Additional Sound Re-RecordistMike Hessing
- GafferKen Kalb
- Title DesignerSkeezo
- Additional Sound Re-RecordistVirgil Morefield
- Title DesignerPhilippe Hagen
- ThanksLaslo Benedict
- MusicianJohn Lurie
- ThanksBarbara Klar
- Assistant CameraLouis Suckle
- Additional Sound Re-RecordistShi Sun
- Assistant DirectorSara Driver
- Production ManagerSara Driver
- CinematographyTom DiCillo
- SoundKevin Dowd
- GafferHoward Brookner
- MusicJim Jarmusch
- MusicJohn Lurie
- Sound MixerLisa Kaplan
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- new york city
- saxophone
- drifter
- mental illness
Release history Β· US
When it landed
- Theatrical1981-03-06NRΒ· New York City, New York
Also known as
International titles
- Vacaciones permanentesAR
- ΠΡΠΏΡΡΠΊ Π±Π΅Π· ΠΊΠΎΠ½ΡΠ°SU
- VacaciΓ³n permanenteUY
- Dauernd FerienDE
