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Kyle’s Criterion Corner: David Lynch: The Art Life (2016)

Kyle Shearin | October 13, 2017

Topics: david lynch, film review, The Art Life

2017 has been the year David Lynch returned to our lives.

After a decade-plus absence in making films, his signature series Twin Peaks resumed (after a seemingly foreseen 25-year hiatus), continuing to instill that special sense of enigmatic storytelling that’s often associated with the director and his work on and off the screen. While Lynch is the cult director, it was anybody’s guess if he still had it in him to produce roughly 18 hours of entertaining and artful drama that remained to the show that he and his cohort Mark Frost unleashed upon the world back in 1990. For many, it was the joyous return of David Lynch, and that alone was worth celebration and paying attention.

Twin Peaks: The Return (as it was christened) was a strange summer-long journey and David Lynch seemed to continue his beloved show as if it had never actually left our TV screens. Older, meaner, and less concerned about alienating its audience, Lynch seemed to be stockpiling his usual tricks and compiling new ones for his fans. While the past does certainly dictate the future, Twin Peaks: The Return, while looked back to the past also continued the series to push in new, often ponderous directions that not only challenged his core audience while also celebrated Lynch’s entire oeuvre.

For many, it was the return of their favorite director, that unmistakable mystery that David Lynch seems to revel in. How Lynch got to be such a revered director is not out of sheer technique, but rather conjoined with his ideas, his artistic ones that seep into the subconscious that seems to be a passage into another world. His first outing, the 70s midnight classic, Eraserhead, is less about a man in a strange, nightmarish world with a sick child and more about the id and anxiety about fatherhood. The Art Life centers on the life before all of this, before he became the David Lynch we all know. The Art Life intimately contextualizes the director and specifically an artist in his own words, thoughts, feelings, and images.

David Lynch “the artist” is not far removed from David Lynch “the director”, but his paintings are easily his purest expression. His exploration of self and the “dark, fantastic dreams” are cornerstones of not only his films but also his art, which The Art Life psycho-biographically centers on pre-Eraserhead Lynch. From his idealized Eisenhower-era childhood, to the dark teenage years in Virginia, to his eventually artistic becoming in Philadelphia, we travel with Lynch following his personal development and the myriad recollections of his life.  We quickly learn that Lynch is an ideas man channeled through the unconscious. He often conjures up bleak images through oil paintings, charcoal, barehanded drawings with unknown substances while thinking, smoking, and staring into space. Oh, and I’m sure some coffee is involved.

Lynch, while not the most eloquent speaker, can muster up some very vivid and striking tales. One in particular involves the evening when his brother and him, as young boys, witnessed a naked woman with a bloodied mouth wandering around his neighborhood in some sort of daze. Lynch being so young doesn’t know exactly why it happened, but moments like these clearly made its way into his art (notably 1986’s Blue Velvet in this particular incident) and his psyche. Also, perhaps the most bizarre story doesn’t get told at all, as it still startles Lynch to the point he can’t finish it. The setup is that the night before moving to Virginia, Lynch’s family was outside with the neighboring family, The Smiths, when Mr. Smith (who Lynch mentions knowing very little about) came outside and well, after a long sigh, Lynch stops the story there. It’s the most Lynchian thing about Art of Life and its biggest mystery.

Not all of Lynch’s stories are exclusively disturbing, as a lot are indeed comic given the context of how much Lynch was/is a very sincere and seemingly sympathetic man who was obsessed with making art, dark art in particular. Lynch recounts how he brought his father to his apartment in Philadelphia to show him a bit of his creative process and what he had been working on, and after observing dissected insects and flowers in David’s basement, thought it would be a good idea that David never bare children of his own. Unbeknownst to both David and his father, his girlfriend was already pregnant and he, in fact, would soon be one.

Another humorous account finds David at odds with his roommate, Peter Wolf of pre-J Geils Band fame, who took it personally when he walked out of a Bob Dylan concert. Lynch recounts that he was quite stoned, sitting in the nose-bleeders, and beyond tickled/annoyed that Dylan was so small and hard to hear. Having walked out of the show, it offended Wolf so badly that it created an enormous strife between the two for years. It’s this light, funny side of Lynch that contrasts so well with the uncomfortable and dark.

Interestingly there are no mentions of his study or work with Transcendental Meditation, a big component to Lynch’s creative process and even discussed his book, Catching the Big Fish. For anyone interested in the real inner-workings of the artistic mind of a guy like Lynch, The Art Life is that rare opportunity to have documentation and further exploration/expounding of that. Weaving through self-narration, old photos, and home movies, rarely do films of this nature have the presence of their subjects openly throughout and compounded with the narrative backbone of Lynch himself is a real treasure.

David Lynch: The Art Life comes to the Criterion as its own separate entity, outside of being a supplemental material for this month’s and Lynch’s own Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, which it was heavily speculated as going to be. While I can see it being an amazing supplement for that film, it does deserve its own release as this film is quite special and worthy of separation. Since it’s fairly new, it doesn’t have a lot of upgrades to boast about, just a high-definition digital master, along with a 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack Blu-ray specifically. The supplements here contain an interview co-director Jon Nguyen, an essay by Dennis Lim, and a trailer. It’s a bit brief overall, but not much dissecting would probably be overkill. Overall, The Art Life is an uncommonly intimate examination of David Lynch and well worth the watch for any fan.

David Lynch: The Art Life

United States, Denmark (2016)

Jon Nguyen, Rick Barnes, and Olivia Neergaard-Holm

Spine #895

Available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Filmstruck

Twin Peaks festival ‘The Great Southern’ returns to Richmond for its third year this weekend

David Streever | August 25, 2017

Topics: david lynch, film festivals in Virginia, pop culture, rva culture, The Great Southern: A Twin Peaks Celebration, Twin Peaks

“Diane, 11:30 a.m., August 24th. Entering the town of Richmond, Virginia for the Great Southern Festival….”

For the third consecutive year, The Great Southern Festival will celebrate all things “Twin Peaks”, this weekend with a uniquely Richmond spin. Die-hard David Lynch fans will recognize the name of the festival as a play on the Great Northern hotel at the heart of the “Twin Peaks” series. Sugar Shack donuts, local bands, and coffee from Rostov’s and Perk Bon Air are just some of the touches that make this event an approachable event even if you don’t speak Lynch.

This year, the theme is Fire Walk With Me, the theatrical prequel to the TV show, released 25 years ago on August 28th. The film was initially met with mixed reviews, but became required viewing when the new series, “Twin Peaks: The Return” was announced. The festival’s highlight event is a screening on Sunday, 7:00 p.m., at Strange Matter. After the film, it’s a triple-header musical act, with three dreamy-nightmare acts that could have performed at The Roadhouse. Little Black Rain Clouds opens, then it’s Romantic States, followed by Band from Another Place. Tickets are $10 in advance, available through the Facebook event. It’s the only event with a ticket price; the rest are free to attend.

On Saturday, stop by Steady Sounds + Blue Bones Vintage for a damn good cup of coffee from Perk Bon Air and Sugar Shack donuts, at the Twin Peaks Listening Party.  This free event is from 4 to 6 p.m. with music by DJs Murphy Madness and Area Woman. After, head over to Mojo’s Philadeli for another free event, the “Cable Bends Steel” jam. Live music by Gardener, Fire Walk With Me trivia, a “Twin Peaks” art show, and Black Lodge Tarot Readings round out the event. 8 to 12 p.m.

Want another damn good cup of coffee? Pop-up restaurateurs Gold Cart RVA kick off Sunday’s festivities with a brunch, hosted at Comfort. The Twin Peaks-inspired brunch menu has been posted to their Facebook page.

If you’re new to the world of “Twin Peaks”, the Great Southern Festival is a great introduction. More than a show, more than a plot, “Twin Peaks” is a cultural phenomenon and movement, mixing goofy soap opera antics with a gritty film noir aesthetic. Want to see David Duchovny as a transgender FBI agent? Want to know why your quirky friend calls every cup of coffee “damn good”? Learn more about the Great Southern Festival on its Facebook page or official website, and we’ll see you again in 25… hours?

 

Twin Peaks-inspired festival, ‘The Great Southern’ returns to Richmond in June

Taylor Nice | May 11, 2016

Topics: Andrew Blossom, david lynch, Richmond movie club, strange matter, The Great Southern, Twin Peaks

The celebratory festival of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, The Great Southern, is returning to Richmond this June due to the continual labor of love from its founder, Andrew Blossom.

Blossom and his cohorts at the Richmond Movie Club have planned an even larger affair with additional venues, more bands and the introduction of new types of events to honor the cult classic TV drama of the early 90s.

“We basically have more of everything,” said Blossom. “There’s more bands local and out of towners such as the Philadelphia group Silencio whose music pays homage to the works of David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti. “What’s also new this year is a panel of writers, bloggers and podcasters who have specialized in writing about Twin Peaks.”

The panel includes a bunch of people who have all built their lives around Lynch’s show such as Reflections (the aural history of Twin Peaks) author Brad Dukes, Pieter Dom, who heads the Welcome to Twin Peaks blog, and founder of the original “Twin Peaks” fanzine “Wrapped in Plastic.”

“Having this brain trust of people who care about and analyze the show is a unique thing to have all in one place,” Blossom said.

Another exclusive must-see event for fans will be the autobiography book reading of “Twin Peaks’ Charlotte Stewart who played Betty Briggs on the show. It will be one of the first if not the first official live recitation of a portion of the book by the author/actress since the work (called Little House in the Hills) is not set to be released until June 1. Following the reading there will be a meet/greet and book signing with Stewart.

Other events include the screening of Lynch’s Blue Velvet and ERASERHEAD, costume contests with celebrity judges as well as a Twin Peaks-themed art show.

All of these delicious Lynchian fandom events would not be possible without the dedication and passion of the festival’s creator whose ambition for the festival exceeds past just a function for Twin Peaks fans with the hope to highlight Richmond’s artistic side.

“We wanted to do a celebration of the show because so many people around here love it, but it’s also a celebration of the energy of Richmond and the creativity that thrives here,” Blossom said.

Blossom, though of course, is an incredibly huge fan of Lynch’s series.

“When I first saw it was on TV… I was a young enough person to where my parents would not actually let me watch it,” said Blossom. “I was a video store kid so in my subsequent teens I discovered it again and from the time I saw it I was just fascinated and every time that I revisited it throughout my life I’ve felt as if I am at home in a piece of art that really makes sense to me.”

“There’s always new things in it to be rediscovered,” he said about his love for the show. “It’s just something that I can endlessly think about.”

Blossom’s love for Twin Peaks led him to creating The Great Southern, one of three festivals of its kind in the world.

“This kind of event only happens in three parts of the world: Washington state, London and Richmond,” said Blossom. “We’re the only ones on the east coast.”

This unique four-day event kicks off on June 9th; check out at the calendar below for event listings.

Calendar:

SUNDAY, JUNE 5: PREVIEW

7:00 PM. GREAT SOUTHERN PREVIEW SHOW. Strange Matter. Featuring BLUE VELVET, 1986, David Lynch. Presented by Movie Club Richmond. Plus! Live music from CHRISTI + LADY GOD.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

4 PM – 7 PM. HAPPY GENERATIONS HAPPY HOUR. Ipanema Cafe. Featuring DJs SISTER GOLDEN HAZE & GREG DARDEN. Plus! Happy hour specials.

7 PM – 9 PM. ART OPENING: SEASON TWO. Mojo’s Philadeli. Original artwork inspired by TWIN PEAKS.
8:30 PM. CONCERT FOR AGENT JEFFRIES. Gallery Five. In honor of David Bowie. Featuring live music from LIFE ON MARS + GULL. Prizes for best Agent Jeffries costumes.

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

1 PM – 3 PM. TWIN PEAKS LISTENING PARTY. Steady Sounds + Blue Bones Vintage. Music in the air. Plus! Free coffee and doughnuts.
4 PM – 6 PM. SHORT FILM PROGRAM. The Byrd Theatre.

Short films in the spirit of TWIN PEAKS, featuring:
– Cathedral Park: Angie • 2016, Travis Blue
– A Voyage to Twin Peaks • 2016, Scott Ryan
– Flappy: Behind the Music in the Air • 2010, Matt Levinthal & Chris Mathews
– Mark of the Damned, Pt. 1 • 2004, Eric Miller
– Moon Over Crozet • 2004, Adam Wayland
6:30 PM. CHARLOTTE STEWART READING. Chop Suey Books. Charlotte Stewart reads & signs her new memoir, LITTLE HOUSE IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS.
Plus! PANEL DISCUSSION: “WRITING ABOUT TWIN PEAKS,” with
– Charlotte Stewart, author, Little House in the Hollywood Hills
– Brad Dukes, author, Reflections: An Oral History of Twin Peaks
– David Bushman & Arthur Smith, authors, Twin Peaks FAQ: All That’s Left to Know About a Place Both Wonderful & Strange
– Scott Ryan, host, The Red Room Podcast; author, “Yeah, But the Monkey Says, Judy,” from Fan Phemomena: Twin Peaks
– John Thorne, creator, Wrapped in Plastic; author, The Essential Wrapped in Plastic: Pathways to Twin Peaks
9:00 PM. SILENCIO. Balliceaux. Live music from SILENCIO, Pittsburgh’s stunning Lynch & Badalamenti-inspired instrumental group.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

11 AM – 2:30 PM. DAMN FINE (PIZZA) PIE BRUNCH. Dinamo. Seriously, a damn fine brunch. At menu prices.

ADDED: “The Mythology of Twin Peaks” and will take place at Hardywood on Saturday, June 11 at 2:00 pm, which is the same time the Craft Farm starts. Panelists will include the writers from the Friday panel, and the moderator will be Scott Ryan of the Red Room Podcast.
2 PM – 7 PM. BIG ED’S CRAFT FARM. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. Art & Craft Fair organized & presented by Curio Market. Plus! Hardywood’s TWIN PEAKS-inspired craft beers.
8:00 PM. Outdoor Screening. Yesterday’s Heroes Vintage. LAURA, 1944, Otto Preminger. Presented by Movie Club Richmond 10 PM – 2 AM. LATE NIGHT PEAKS. Don’t Look Back. With food & drink specials. At menu prices. Plus! TWIN PEAKS Tarot

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

2 PM – 6 PM. AN AFTERNOON BOTH WONDERFUL & STRANGE. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery.
Featuring live music from BIG NO + LODRO + LITTLE BLACK RAIN CLOUDS w/ KIMMY ROBERTSON.
Plus! TWIN PEAKS Costume Contest, judged by celebrity guests.
TWIN PEAKS Trivia Contest. Celebrity signings. And Hardywood’s TWIN PEAKS-inspired craft beers

Insight into season three among many topics at RVA’s first ‘Twin Peaks’ Great Southern Festival

Brad Kutner | April 22, 2015

Topics: Charlotte Stewart, chop suey books, david lynch, Kimmy Roberston, Mark Frost, The Great Southern Festival, Twin Peaks

The shroud of mystery surrounding Laura Palmer and the fate of Twin Peaks had Richmond buzzing this past weekend.

[Read more…] about Insight into season three among many topics at RVA’s first ‘Twin Peaks’ Great Southern Festival

Twin Peaks to return in 2016 with 9 new episodes on Showtime

Brad Kutner | October 7, 2014

Topics: david lynch, Showtime, Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks is coming back, so grab your favorite log and reup your subscription to Showtime as the only way to catch the new show will be through the premium cable service.

[Read more…] about Twin Peaks to return in 2016 with 9 new episodes on Showtime

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