Ciné Blues #06: A Complete Unknown, exploring the origins of the Bob Dylan myth

For this sixth episode of Ciné Blues, we explore a new cinematic genre: the biopic, with A Complete Unknown. We head to New York in the early 1960s, following the formative years of Bob Dylan, from his arrival in Greenwich Village to the legendary Newport Folk Festival of 1965.

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The film

Released in 2025, A Complete Unknown focuses on a very specific period in Bob Dylan‘s life. From his arrival in Greenwich Village in 1961 to his controversial switch to electric guitar in 1965, the film follows the transformation of a little-known musician into one of the defining voices of American music.

Played by Timothée Chalamet, Dylan crosses paths with several key figures along the way: Woody Guthrie, his hero; Pete Seeger, who sees him as the future of American folk music; Joan Baez, who helps him reach a wider audience; and Johnny Cash, who quickly understands Dylan’s desire to push beyond musical boundaries.

As Dylan’s fame grows, so do the tensions surrounding him. The folk community wants a spokesman, the activists want a political voice, but Dylan is already looking elsewhere.

A young man wearing a beanie and scarf stands on a city street with vintage cars in the background.

The soundtrack

The soundtrack of A Complete Unknown mirrors Dylan’s musical evolution. At the beginning of the film, everything is firmly rooted in traditional folk: acoustic guitar, harmonica and the direct influence of Woody Guthrie.

Yet beneath that folk foundation lies the blues. The American folk scene of the early 1960s drew heavily from African American music, borrowing many of its themes, structures and storytelling traditions.

The film captures this transformation perfectly. Songs such as Blowin’ in the Wind and The Times They Are A-Changin’ establish Dylan as the voice of a generation. Later come Subterranean Homesick Blues and Like a Rolling Stone, where folk collides with electric rock and rhythm and blues.

Through the characters of Pete Seeger and Johnny Cash, the film also explores one of the major debates of the era: should a musical tradition be preserved exactly as it is, or allowed to evolve?

A young man plays acoustic guitar during a gathering while another musician plays banjo in the background.

Five years to become Bob Dylan

One of the most fascinating stories behind the film concerns Timothée Chalamet‘s preparation for the role.

The pandemic and later the Hollywood strikes delayed production by several years. In the end, that delay gave the actor an opportunity to immerse himself fully in the character: guitar, harmonica, singing and stage presence, nothing was left to chance.

James Mangold was not looking for a perfect imitation. His goal was to portray a Dylan in constant motion, constantly changing. That approach was reinforced by meticulous costume work, with Chalamet wearing nearly 70 different outfits throughout the film.

One final detail is particularly striking: despite years of preparation, Timothée Chalamet has never met Bob Dylan. Dylan reviewed and annotated parts of the screenplay, but the two men have never met publicly.

📻 Ciné Blues is available on Blues Actu Radio and all major podcast platforms: Spotify | Deezer | Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Podcast Addict. The show is also broadcast on several FM partner stations.
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