You either love him or hate him. At least, that’s the general reaction I’ve been getting from people who are familiar with his work. I, for one, am not familiar with David Lynch’s films, but since my challenge is to convey that Lynch is a “man we love,” the easiest way of doing that is by turning to his ongoing Interview Project. Still, it wouldn’t be fair to Lynch by skipping over his impressive array of films and accolades and the road that lead him to becoming one of the most admired and controversial filmmakers of our time.
Having embarked on his creative adventures within the realm of fine art, Lynch eventually shifted to film as his medium of choice. Success from his first short film was enough encouragement to continue working in moving images. Lynch moved to Los Angeles in the early ’70s to attend the AFI Conservatory, where he began work on his first feature, Eraserhead, an endeavor that lasted several years before seeing completion in 1977. The film sparked interest in Mel Brooks, who hired Lynch to direct The Elephant Man (1980), based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, a 19th century Brit with a congenital disorder. The film went on to receive eight Oscar nominations, including two for Lynch, for his direction and writing. The filmmaker’s accolades continued in subsequent years with two more Oscar nominations for directing Blue Velvet (1986) and Mulholland Dr. (2001).
Lynch’s unconventional style of filmmaking is trademarked by sexual themes, disturbing sound, and surrealistic imagery – all things that justify some people’s distaste for his work, and others’ admiration. More recently, Lynch has put his filmmaking on hold, making way for his Interview Project.
Understanding that everyone has a story to tell, Lynch is on a quest to interview hundreds of people over the course of 70 days and 20,000 miles. Without a set plan, a small crew headed across the United States, stopping random folks as they rode their bikes, sat on their front porches, and canvassed yard sales. Speaking about divorce, drug abuse, hopes for the future, and just about anything else, the subjects were willing to open up to the camera and have their stories documented in a style similar to StoryCorps, the non-profit organization that has recorded thousands of Americans’ stories in an effort to build an oral history of the United States. Though Interview Project’s breadth is not nearly as immense, its ambition and vision is extraordinary. At less than five minutes in length, each of the dozens of videos that have been posted on DavidLynch.com so far offers a variety of mindsets, cultures, and landscapes.
Love him or hate him, Lynch deserves respect for his vision and fearlessness in breaking the rules that often blind our minds’ eyes. To learn more about Interview Project and to watch the videos, visit DavidLynch.com. You may also follow the project on Twitter @interviewproj.
