David Lynch

Career

Career

Lynch started working on his feature film ‘Eraserhead’ in the early 70s. Initially, the project was funded by the ‘American Film Institute’ (AFI). But the film couldn’t be completed with the $10,000$10,000, which was given to him by the ‘AFI.’ He then started investing his own money into the film. After five years of hard work, which involved physical and mental exhaustion, the film was finally released in 1977.

Lynch wrote and directed ‘Blue Velvet’ in 1986. ‘Blue Velvet’ in 1986. Although the film was unorthodox as compared to the usual American films, it became a huge success. The film also received an ‘Academy Award’ nomination for the ‘Best Director.’

In 2001,In 2001, Lynch came up with ‘Mulholland Drive,’ which is now widely known as one of the best films ever made. The film was originally meant to be a TV series but the project was dropped at the last minute, owing to the unusual narrative techniques employed by Lynch. While unusual narrative was Lynch’s biggest strength, it was also his drawback as many producers would back out upon hearing his narrative.

In 2006In 2006, Lynch directed ‘Inland Empire,’ which remains to be his last feature film to date. The film was praised by the critics and also turned out to be a commercial success. Lynch gave up filmmaking after stating that Hollywood is no more a fascinating place for him. He also said that earning money has become the only motive of the majority of producers and filmmakers.

Career

Lynch started working on his feature film ‘Eraserhead’ in the early 70s. Initially, the project was funded by the ‘American Film Institute’ (AFI). But the film couldn’t be completed with the $10,000, which was given to him by the ‘AFI.’ He then started investing his own money into the film. After five years of hard work, which involved physical and mental exhaustion, the film was finally released in 1977.

The film was a nightmarish representation of a man’s fears. The dreamlike imagery and highly unusual narrative kept the film from entering film festivals. Eventually, the film was selected and was screened at ‘The Los Angeles Film Festival.’ The film was ridiculed at the festival with some critics calling it ‘awful.’

A distributor named Ben Barenholtz came to know about the film. He then contacted Lynch and expressed his interest in releasing the film. The film was initially screened at several theatres where it took the midnight slot. The film slowly started catching the attention of many. Esteemed director Stanley Kubrick watched the film and called it one of his most favorite films of all time.

Hollywood star Mel Brooks saw the film and said that he absolutely loved it. He contacted Lynch and offered him the job of directing a film titled ‘The Elephant Man,’ which starred Anthony Hopkins in the lead. The film was a massive commercial and critical hit. It received eight Oscar nominations, including ‘Best Director.’

Lynch gained popularity as a director, and started receiving offers to direct mainstream Hollywood films, but Lynch focused on doing things that he liked and hence had to reject some high profile films, including ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.’

He then wrote and directed a film named ‘Dune,’ which was a high budget science fiction film. The film was a disaster as it failed to impress the critics and the audience alike. Lynch later termed it as the ‘worst experience of his life.’ Since the television and extended versions of the film were modified, Lynch requested the broadcasters not to give him the directorial credit. However, the film turned out to be a cult classic.

Lynch wrote and directed ‘Blue Velvet’ in 1986. Although the film was unorthodox as compared to the usual American films, it became a huge success. The film also received an ‘Academy Award’ nomination for the ‘Best Director.’

His next directorial venture was the 1990 film ‘Wild at Heart.’ It was Lynch’s most unusual film as it had a fairly straightforward treatment. However, it also had the trademark elements of a David Lynch movie and it became a big commercial and critical hit. It eventually won the ‘Palme d’Or’ at the ‘Cannes Film Festival.’

In the same year, Lynch came up with the TV series ‘Twin Peaks.’ It was an investigation drama about the murder of a girl named Laura Palmer. The series became a mega success, eventually becoming a rage in America. Many critics praised the series, with some calling it the beginning of a new era in American television. Lynch’s trademark style of filmmaking contributed to the series’ eventual success.

However, during its second season, Lynch had a disagreement with the producers regarding the revelation of the killer’s identity. Lynch then parted ways with the series without completing the second season. Following this, the series started faring poorly and the overall ratings of the show went down. Lynch was then requested to return for the final episode, which turned out to be a cult classic, just like the series.

Lynch then made a prequel film to the series and titled it ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me,’ but the film proved a colossal failure and Lynch’s career took a plunge. He made his comeback with the 1997 film ‘Lost Highway.’ Although the film is now considered a cult classic, it was a critical and commercial failure at the time of its release.

Lynch redeemed himself with the 1999 film ‘The Straight Story.’ Just like its title, ‘The Straight Story’ was a linear film and it earned Lynch another ‘Palme d’Or’ nomination at the ‘Cannes Film Festival.’ The film follows a heart-warming tale of an old man, who sets off on a journey to meet his dying brother.

In 2001, Lynch came up with ‘Mulholland Drive,’ which is now widely known as one of the best films ever made. The film was originally meant to be a TV series but the project was dropped at the last minute, owing to the unusual narrative techniques employed by Lynch. While unusual narrative was Lynch’s biggest strength, it was also his drawback as many producers would back out upon hearing his narrative.

Lynch then reworked on the script and turned it into a feature film. Lynch was honored with the ‘Best Director Award’ at the ‘Cannes Film Festival.’ In a poll conducted by the BBC, ‘Mulholland Drive’ was named the ‘Best Film’ of the 21st Century.

In 2006, Lynch directed ‘Inland Empire,’ which remains to be his last feature film to date. The film was praised by the critics and also turned out to be a commercial success. Lynch gave up filmmaking after stating that Hollywood is no more a fascinating place for him. He also said that earning money has become the only motive of the majority of producers and filmmakers.

Lynch’s fans got excited in 2014 when he announced ‘Twin Peaks: The Return,’ which is the third season of his cult classic series. Lynch directed all the 18 episodes of the series, which was released in 2017. The series became a huge commercial and critical success. Lynch also acted as an FBI officer, reprising his role from earlier seasons.

Lynch has also directed several commercials and music videos. After quitting filmmaking, he has kept himself busy making music. He even released a couple of music albums, namely ‘Crazy Clown Time’ and ‘The Big Dream.’

Who is David Lynch?

Who is David Lynch?

Who is David Lynch?

David Lynch is an American filmmaker, author, painter, actor, and photographer. Considered to be one of the top directors of this era, David Lynch is a world-renowned artist. He gained prominence as a filmmaker when he developed a unique style of filmmaking. He started his career as a painter and then started making short films. He eventually directed his first feature length film ‘Eraserhead.’ The film, which was a surrealist body horror, made Lynch hog the limelight. Though his first project was more of an independent venture, he received some support for his second feature film ‘The Elephant Man.’ The film turned out to be a huge commercial and critical success. He went on to create movies, such as ‘Lost Highway’ and ‘Mulholland Drive.’ Many of his movies are considered classics. He entered the world of television in 1990 with the series ‘Twin Peaks.’ With this, he changed the face of American prime time television forever. According to experts, David Lynch is the one who initiated the golden age of American television. After directing ‘Inland Empire,’ which released in 2006, Lynch announced his retirement, and cited commercialization of the industry as the reason behind his retirement. He then started directing short films, before making a comeback to TV in 2017. During the course of his career, Lynch has received nominations for ‘Academy Award.’ He has also won the ‘Golden Palm’ award at the prestigious ‘Cannes Film Festival.’