Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates
with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old
films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs,
poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture,
bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water,
light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that
speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work
(and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable;
originality is nonexistent. And don’t bother concealing
your thievery—celebrate it if you feel like it. In any
case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s
not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to.”

JIM JARMUSCH.