A NOTE FROM JIM JARMUSCH

I’ve known Mark Webber for some years now.  I was familiar with his fine work as an actor before we met, and I was extremely happy to have the chance to work together when he very movingly portrayed a central character in my film BROKEN FLOWERS.  Months before filming, when he first “read” the scenes for me, I was so excited – I felt like we could just go outside and shoot the scenes immediately! 

As I got to know Mark better we became friends, and I began to more fully recognize the beauty and depth of his spirit as a person.  He is someone with a pure and compassionate vision, direct and energized, and someone genuinely unimpressed with superficial goals and “rewards.”  He quickly earned my respect. 

Some time later, Mark enthusiastically approached me concerning his project EXPLICIT ILLS.  He had the script in hand, and many of his collaborators were already committed.  He asked if I would read the script and possibly consider coming onboard as an Executive Producer.  Normally I am very hesitant to become part of any project that isn’t my own, or to lend my name to something that I will not oversee on some level.  Also, I dislike scripts in general as a form -- unless my imagination is able to visualize their content due to my knowledge of the director’s existing style, I’m just lost. 

But I read the script for EXPLICIT ILLS.  It seemed to encapsulate Mark’s spirit.  It wasn’t the kind of story I would write, but it wasn’t a film I was going to make – it was Mark’s.  I told Mark that I would be very happy to help him realize his vision in any way I could, but I wasn’t comfortable offering my own ideas about the content or structure of his film.  My interest in being involved would clearly be to help Mark get to the point where he could realize this film his way, following his own vision and intuition. 

Mark and his outstanding actors and crew members worked extremely hard to make this film.  And it was made without interference.  The results speak for themselves, and I am very proud to have helped in any small way, and very proud that Mark Webber was allowed to follow and protect his instincts.  EXPLICIT ILLS beautifully reflects Mark’s intentions. 

I have chosen not to participate in the press or promotion for EXPLICIT ILLS, short of this brief written statement, because it is a film that belongs to the filmmakers.  It contains their souls, and is theirs to represent.  If contributing my name to this project helped in any way for it to be realized bythe filmmakers, then I can only reiterate my pride and my admiration for Mark Webber and all his amazing collaborators.  Hats off to them all for staying true to themselves, and for creating this striking and particular film.