Hotly anticipated Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown follows a 19-year-old Dylan on his meteoric rise from scrappy folk singer to chart-topping rock and roll legend.
To celebrate the film, which stars Timothée Chalamet as the acclaimed troubadour and hits UK cinemas on January 17 (December 25 in the US), a number of specially-designed posters inspired by Dylan’s most beloved songs have been created. Check them out exclusively on NME below.
“I really wanted to create a series of posters that complemented the film, the music and the time period that were stylistically retro and infused with some modern design twists,” said designer Matt Needle. “Each piece functions as an individual design composition inspired and led by that specific song and in relation to the characters [described in the songs].”
The five posters feature Chalamet in full costume and take inspiration from songs like politically-charged 1964 classic ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’ and revolutionary 1965 hit ‘Like A Rolling Stone’.
“Initially I tried to pair imagery of Timothée in each iteration of Dylan (early days, folk, the more stylised suit and glasses look, duet and electric). Naturally that evolved throughout the process, but each image of Timothée was so beautifully shot, composed and full of character that there was a wealth of imagery to work with. I tried to choose the ones that directed the different elements of the story and guided the composition in a dynamic and intriguing way,” Needle continued.
The posters also include homages to early singles ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’, which was performed alongside Joan Baez and featured on 1963’s ‘The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan’ and ‘Girl From The North Country’. The beautiful song about community, understanding and hope was first released as part of Bob Dylan’s second album before he re-recorded it with Johnny Cash for 1969’s ‘Nashville Skyline’.
Speaking about honouring Dylan and his legacy with the poster series, Needle said: “The imagery is intended to mark different facets of Dylan. So we have ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ and ‘Girl From The North Country’ to honour those early years, ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ covers the travelling and touring, ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ for protest and ‘Times They Are A-Changin’ for his electric phase. The shots incorporated into the designs fit well with these themes/lyrics yet also evoke some iconic imagery of Dylan from years past.”
Chalamet stars alongside Edward Norton (Pete Seeger) and Elle Fanning (Sylvie Russo, a fictionalised version of Dylan’s first New York girlfriend Suze Rotolo, who died in 2011) in the film which is based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, And The Night That Split The Sixties.
Dylan oversaw the project as executive producer and, according to the crew, demanded at least one totally inaccurate moment be included. “He’s such a troublemaker,” said Norton.
