Decoding David Lynch’s ‘familiar yet strange’ cinematic language
David Lynch in 2004.Photo by Gilles Mingasson/Gettty Image Arts & Culture Decoding David Lynch’s ‘familiar yet strange’ cinematic language Sarah Lamodi Harvard Correspondent February 27, 2025 7 min read Film Archive pays tribute with 3 films that ‘need to be seen on the big screen’ Last month, news of legendary filmmaker and artist David Lynch’s death rocked the film world. Lynch’s enigmatic feature films, such as “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive,” and his television epic “Twin Peaks” challenged viewers during their initial releases and continue to inspire critics, writers, and artists. This weekend, the Harvard Film Archive will commemorate Lynch’s legacy with a series of three films spanning his career. Sabrina Sutherland, a producer who had worked with Lynch since the 1990s, will present the screenings and participate in a conversation about “Twin Peaks” and its controversial prequel. Ahead of the series, we asked Film Archive Director Haden Guest to speak to Lynch’s effect on moviemaking, and why we keep...