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I'm Not There

I'm Not There

Date: Feb 06 2008

Themes: Pop Culture

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

We’ve all wondered, “If they made a movie about my life, who would play me?” But do you think Bob Dylan ever guessed that six different people would play him in the same movie, including Cate Blanchett?

Probably not. But it makes sense when you think about it. As one of the most influential musicians and poets of all time, Bob Dylan has had a crazy life. It would be quite the challenge for one actor to play him and do him justice. Listen to Jason tell Katie about the Bob Dylans of the new movie, I’m Not There.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jason

Jason

Katie

Jason:  Have you seen the new…I’m Not There, the Bob Dylan movie?

Katie:  No, I haven’t. Is it supposed to be good?

Jason:  Yeah, it’s really good. It’s really weird. It’s kind of confusing. At first there’s this black teenager who’s the star, and you’re kind of like, “Isn’t this a movie about Bob Dylan?” But it turns out he’s supposed to be Bob Dylan and Bob Dylan at one point is a woman…

Katie:  Wow.

Jason:  ...and he’s represented by six different actors who represent six different Bob Dylans, or aspects of Bob Dylan.

Katie:  That’s pretty cool. Do you think Bob Dylan thinks of himself like that, as being several different people?

Jason:  Oh, that’s a good question. Maybe, I don’t know. I guess he’s pretty reluctant to comment about movies and things that are made about him.

Katie:  Mm, OK.

Jason:  But I think he would be justified in thinking that because he has all these different periods where he was, like, into drugs and where he was a protest singer and now he’s this weird old guy who’s in commercials...

Katie:  Very true.

Jason:  ...it’s pretty different phases of your life.

Katie:  Yeah.

 

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Discussion

Katie hasn’t seen I’m Not There, so Jason warns her that it can be a little confusing at first. That African-American kid at the beginning? Yeah, that’s Bob Dylan.

Each of the six actors who play Bob Dylan at different times of his life are abstract representations of a period of his life. Katie wonders if Dylan himself views his life as having such distinct eras.

Jason doesn’t know what Dylan thinks, but he thinks the movie makes sense. Since Dylan has been everything from a protest singer to an actor in lingerie commercials, why not have someone else play him at each step along the way?

Have you ever experienced a dramatic change in your life? Would it take more than one actor to play you?

 

Comments

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alsaedi

Saudi Arabia

 it is good

10:50 AM Mar 29 2011 |

neunnt

Viet Nam

yes, i have . I think 3 people play me.

07:42 AM Mar 28 2011 |

naresh7

naresh7

India

Beautiful

06:12 AM Feb 22 2008 |

anvinme

anvinme

China

eventually  I read it over,  and  I  agree with someone comment,  all  above  the article,   It tell me  life  is  wonderful  beacause  all kinds of  happen  thing  in society,  although it  is  fell sad  or  pleasant , We accept it  is a happiness.

12:25 PM Feb 12 2008 |

SÉRGIO

SÉRGIO

Brazil

The man with several faces

09:51 PM Feb 11 2008 |

SÉRGIO

SÉRGIO

Brazil

Ok A movie of mine it would be incredible, but it doesn't need many different actors, i think i'm now what I have always been.

09:50 PM Feb 11 2008 |

Geoge Wang

Geoge Wang

China

The performers in this movie are wonderful especially Christian Bell. I think bell is very charming and it's no doubt that he is an gifted actor.

03:53 AM Feb 11 2008 |

MWang

MWang

China

I didn't see this movie, but i can understand what it want to transfer.People acting in the real society, thinking and imaging in another fantasy world. Because of this, indifferent periods people are different. Even at the same time there are several you exist in your body. Do you noticed sometimes you are not yourself?

06:15 AM Feb 10 2008 |

edie

edie

China

this movie confused me!

11:16 AM Feb 09 2008 |

edie

edie

China

this movie confused me!

11:16 AM Feb 09 2008 |

Foliage

Foliage

China

Six actors play the same guy! Cool!

But if sometime when I was a brand new 'Bob Dylan'. I might need 12 or more actors! Cause I change myself each month!Tongue out

06:23 PM Feb 07 2008 |

岳轻风

岳轻风

China

it'sgood

 

 

07:36 AM Feb 07 2008 |

sapena

sapena

Kuwait

i agree with wate the direct did and i like itCool

12:30 AM Feb 07 2008 |

Dany-Boy

Dany-Boy

Guatemala

Hi Vikky.. You´ve all right about people change every time and depend on the experiences we live. To our friends we share some aspects of our lifes, some friends know all about us, others don`t. I share the same point of view about this. Bob Dylan is a legendary singer and composer and like every succesful human, he have his own caracter and people know something about He is. Well.. nice to post about it.. I liked your post. Bye..

08:12 PM Feb 06 2008 |

smart2022

smart2022

Saudi Arabia

sound not good

07:40 PM Feb 06 2008 |

Enrique Muñoz

Spain

Dear Vikky:
I have enjoyed your post a lot. I would like to know a little more about this kind of philosophy you were talking about. I think I am about to start a new period of my life and I would like to face it up quieter than before.
Thank in advance,
Enrique

04:35 PM Feb 06 2008 |

rukmal

rukmal

Sri Lanka

Very interesting comment from Vikky.. Yes she is correct.. I think we have to deal with a different man not in every 7 yeas but in every minutes.. Am I wrong?

This film describes about a famous character and extra ordinary changes in his life.. So who doesn’t like to watch this?

12:24 PM Feb 06 2008 |

魔术大卫

China

it;s amazing ~

09:32 AM Feb 06 2008 |

Vikky

Vikky

Russian Federation

I think it’s a good decision, than a few actors play one person in a different periods of his life. Because a director want to show how his hero changes. And if you look you fotos from childhood   to now time   you’ll see that you look different in its. And of course you’re changing inside. Indian Veda says that person change’s his body every seven years – and every 7 years you have a deal with another man. Ones change very much, another –not so strong, but we all change. Cool

If they make a film about me, I think, they take a few actors too. But maybe one talented actress, who can incarnate very well. Because I fell that I’m changing every year. It’s depends on your personal experiences, new knowledge. A few years ago I couldn’t imagine that I would live in big city, but now I couldn’t imagine what I would do in small town. But the best things/ that you never know what will change in your life?  

 

08:52 AM Feb 06 2008 |

tiffintime

tiffintime

Sri Lanka

I would like to see this as I have been a fan of Dylan's songs. Just saw Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth. She's brilliant; and director Kapur has done a good job.

08:36 AM Feb 06 2008 |

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