David Lynch, described by The Guardian as “the most important director of contemporary times,” passed away yesterday at the age of 78. This cinematic luminary was known for his skillful use of eerie and psychedelic aesthetics in his works, and his unique surrealist style led audiences into dreams that felt both real and terrifying.
His works are countless, with representative pieces including: “Blue Velvet,” “Mulholland Drive,” and “Twin Peaks,” all of which redefine cinematic language. They delve into the depths of human nature from the abyss of fear, presenting haunting yet awe-inspiring visuals that resonate deeply. In particular, the first piece of the “Dream Logic Trilogy,” “Eraserhead,” holds a monumental status in film history.
From experimental film to Hollywood, he pioneered new possibilities for cinema through surrealism, creating a unique surreal style and his “Lynchian” approach. The sudden passing of a generation’s cinematic giant is not only a loss for the film industry but also felt deeply by fans worldwide, marking a significant gap in the art world.
Let’s take a moment to revisit his classic works and重新体验 the charm of these artistic treasures!
“Eraserhead”
(Eraserhead, 1977)
The story tells of Henry, who lives in an industrial city. Faced with a twisted and abnormal family gathering, he is forced to marry his girlfriend Mary after she becomes pregnant. Overnight, he also becomes the father of a malformed child. This baby not only cannot eat but often cries, causing Mary to break down and leave. Ultimately, this leads to Henry’s mental breakdown, resulting in him dismembering the baby with scissors…
This is an American surrealist body horror film, and it’s the first feature film that David Lynch both wrote and directed, as well as produced, being his first black-and-white feature. In fact, “Eraserhead” reached a limited audience upon its release, but the film received positive reviews, particularly for its surreal imagery, underlying themes of sexuality, which were seen as key thematic elements, and its intricate sound design, which became a highlight of the film’s technical aspects. As of 2004, the Library of Congress has included “Eraserhead” in the National Film Registry for preservation.
The Elephant Man (1980)
The story tells of a British doctor during the Victorian era who discovers a head-deformed elephant man at a circus, enduring inhumane treatment. He takes the man back to the hospital for research. Unfortunately, the circus owner sends people to seize the elephant man, taking him on a tour across Europe. Fortunately, other deformed individuals in the troupe secretly rescue him back to England, allowing him to finally experience the warmth of humanity…
This is an American historical drama film directed by David Lynch, adapted from the true story of Joseph Carey Merrick, the “Elephant Man,” from 19th-century England. The entire film is presented in black and white. Following the success of David Lynch’s “Eraserhead,” he chose to make “The Elephant Man,” which is regarded as one of his most traditional works; “The Elephant Man” also achieved massive commercial success and received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The story is based on the novel of the same name by Frank Herbert Jr. published in 1965. It mainly tells the tale of a clever and gifted young man, described in prophecy as the Kwisatz Haderach, who will save a desert planet from the evil noble House Harkonnen. He bears a great destiny that surpasses his understanding, and must journey to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and people.
This is an American epic sci-fi film directed and written by David Lynch. Due to the backlash against the director’s deviations from the novel’s storyline, the film received poor reviews and box office performance, costing 40 million dollars but only earning 30.9 million domestically. However, the movie is recognized as a cult classic and is seen as a precursor that inspired the series of games “Dune.”
But “Dune” is also David Lynch’s nightmare, the work that saddens him the most, not because of the box office, but because he was stripped of the final editing rights, which resulted in the film differing greatly from his ultimate vision.
《蓝丝绒》
（Blue Velvet, 1986）
The story follows the main character Jeffrey, who lives in a seemingly beautiful and peaceful neighborhood. One day, he accidentally discovers an ear on a lawn near his home. After reporting it to the police, his curiosity drives him to team up with the sheriff’s daughter, Sandy, to investigate. As they delve deeper, they gradually encounter the ugliness and evil present in the world.
This is an American mystery film directed by David Lynch, successfully blending elements of film noir and surrealism. The movie’s title is derived from Bobby Vinton’s 1963 song of the same name, and it resonates with the recurring motif of blue velvet throughout the film. Although the film was not initially well-received by mainstream audiences upon its release, it eventually garnered high praise and led to Lynch receiving his second Oscar nomination for Best Director.
“Mulholland Drive: Fire Walk with Me”
(Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, 1992)
This is an American psychological thriller and horror film, adapted from the sensational 1990 series “Twin Peaks.” The film serves as both a prequel and a sequel to the television series, extending its narrative to the logging and tourism town of Twin Peaks in the northern United States, which hides many untold intrigues, passionate affairs, and collusions of interest. It unfolds the circumstances surrounding the murder of 16-year-old high school girl Laura and delves into the complexities of her inner world before her death.
David Lynch once explained that this is a film about “loneliness, shame, guilt, and the victims of incest.” Although “Lost Highway” was a box office failure in the United States, it was hugely popular in Japan.
“Lost Highway” (1997)
The story tells of a jazz musician and his wife who receive a video tape capturing snippets of their daily life. From then on, they receive such tapes every day. One day, the tape reveals footage of him murdering his wife, and she is indeed found dead at home, making him a convicted murderer. Later, he mysteriously disappears and is replaced by a young mechanic who lives a different life in his stead…
Produced by the French production company Ciby 2000, most of the scenes were filmed in Los Angeles through collaboration between David Lynch, his long-time producing partner Mary Sweeney, and cinematographer Peter Deming. David Lynch has stated that the film abandons traditional logical storytelling in favor of a psychologically induced trance state, with a narrative structure reminiscent of a Möbius strip; furthermore, “Mulholland Drive” is considered the first film in the “dream logic trilogy,” regarded as the most creative surrealist work since “Eraserhead,” holding a milestone status in film history.
《失忆大道》
(Mulholland Drive, 2001)
The story follows Diana, who comes to Los Angeles from Canada to chase her dreams. She possesses talent and courage, but lacks luck, leading to struggles in her career and a string of misfortunes. After failing auditions for films, she faces immense disappointment and reality, which leaves her in pain, chaos, and gradually losing sight of herself…
This film utilizes a non-linear narrative and surrealism, fitting into the genre of American neo-noir mystery. David Lynch initially created a two-hour pilot for an American television series, hoping to recapture the brilliance of “Twin Peaks.” However, when he submitted the project, the network demanded significant cuts to both the length and content, ultimately abandoning the plan. Fortunately, Lynch retained control over the original footage and, with the help of French distributor Canal+, completed the production of “Mulholland Drive.” The film premiered at the 54th Cannes Film Festival in 2001, receiving widespread acclaim and achieving notable box office success worldwide, earning Lynch the Best Director award at Cannes in 2001, as well as the Best Director award from the New York Film Critics Circle, along with a third Academy Award nomination for Best Director.
The film was rated as the Best Picture of the Year by the New York Film Critics Circle and received enthusiastic praise from critic Roger Joseph Ebert, who had previously been reserved about David Lynch’s works. In recent years, it has also ascended to the status of a classic film.
*The above images are sourced from the internet.