American filmmaker, musician, painter, and actor David Lynch passed away at age the of 78 on Wednesday, Jan. 15 shortly after he had left his Los Angeles home leaving filmmakers, actors, and cinephiles devastated. Lynch was evacuating in response to the spreading Los Angeles wildfires. His death was caused by “complications of emphysema” due to a life-long habit of smoking.
Lynch entered the world of film during his time at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where he initially intended to study painting. Lynch began making short films and writing scripts when he realized he wished to “see his paintings move.” In 1970, Lynch moved to Los Angeles to begin studying filmmaking at the American Film Institute (AFI).
Heavily inspired by his time in the city of Philadelphia, and supported by students and staff at the AFI Conservatory, Lynch released his first full-length film in 1977 titled “Eraserhead.” Filmed in black and white, it is set in a dystopian society and explores themes of fatherhood and environmental neglect.
“The feeling [of Philadelphia] was so close to extreme danger, and the fear was so intense,” Lynch said in Chris Rodley’s biography, “Lynch on Lynch.” “There was violence and hate and filth. But the biggest influence in my whole life was that city.”
The film was impactful on the rest of Lynch’s career, as he branched out into other types of social commentary and gained critical recognition. Although Lynch received substantial acclaim through Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA nominations, much of the accolades that Lynch received were through industry awards such as the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and various categories at the Venice Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards.
Aside from the independently-produced “Eraserhead,” Lynch is best known for the 2001 neo-noir film “Mulholland Drive,” the 1986 mystery horror film “Blue Velvet,” and his 1984 rendition of “Dune.”
Lynch’s approach to filmmaking and the creation of art in general was to juxtapose the mundane activities of everyday people with the sinister elements of the human condition in an ironic attempt to encourage his audiences to look inward at their own interpretations of his art, further perpetuating the avant-garde element of his works.
“For most directors, it seems necessary to make enough ‘pleasing’ movies to create both the revenue and reputation required to try and make the art they really want to make,” English and Film Studies teacher Ryan Baker said. “[At] that point, hopefully they are able to garner an audience to expose more people to the films that push the envelope of the art form.”
Lynch’s work is known for its surrealist style and dreamlike imagery, especially, in his iconic series, “Twin Peaks,” starring Kyle MacLachlan. From the haunting setting of the isolated small town of Twin Peaks, Washington, Lynch tells the story behind the murder investigation of high schooler Laura Palmer. In the series, Lynch uses the dark and dreary setting of the Pacific Northwest to mirror the darkness that exists within human nature.
“Black has depth,” Lynch said in Rodley’s biography. “[You] can go into it, and because it keeps on continuing to be dark, the mind kicks in, and a lot of things that are going on in there become manifest. And you start seeing what you’re afraid of. You start seeing what you love, and it becomes like a dream.”
Lynch’s legacy is not limited to his contributions to the world of cinema. Lynch was a large proponent and practitioner of Transcendental Meditation (TM), as the Meditation Technique allows one to explore the unconscious mind and reach high levels of peace and awareness. Founded by Lynch in 2005, the David Lynch Organization aimed to fund the teaching of TM in schools specifically for “at-risk populations”.
“What’s so distinctive about [Lynch’s] works is that none of them are alike,” history teacher Phillip Campbell said. “If I had to pick one unifying aspect I would say that it’s all very rooted in surrealism.”
Lynch’s death left behind a legacy in the world of filmmaking of exploring the unconventional through haunting, dream-like visuals alongside perplexing storylines. His personal philosophy, reflected in his distinctive style of storytelling through eccentric characters, strange sequences, and idyllic setting paired with haunting sound design, themes of mortality, and unresolved plot-holes, has had an undeniable impact on contemporary film trends and will continue to inspire audiences for many years to come.
