I’m Not There is a 2007 biographical musical film directed by Todd Haynes, inspired by the life and music of American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. Six actors depict different facets of Dylan’s public personas: Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Christian Bale, Marcus Carl Franklin, Heath Ledger, and Ben Whishaw.
The film tells its story using non-traditional narrative techniques, intercutting the storylines of seven different Dylan-inspired characters. The title of the film is taken from the 1967 Dylan Basement Tape recording of “I’m Not There”, a song that had not been officially released until it appeared on the film’s soundtrack album.
The film begins with Jude Quinn (Cate Blanchett) walking onto a stage to perform, before cutting to him riding a motorcycle which crashes—a reference to Dylan having a serious motorcycle accident in 1966. The film then cuts to Quinn’s body on a mortuary slab as an autopsy begins.
Singer-songwriter Jude Quinn (Cate Blanchett) is seen at a folk festival performing a rock version of “Maggie’s Farm” to outraged folk music fans.
Jude then travels with his band to London There he’s received with cheers and greets from his fans.
He then is seen arriving at a press conference in London and answering questions. At the press conference, Jude is confronted by some reporters who ask him why he doesn’t do protest songs anymore. Jude answers that the only thing he does in his music is protesting.