David Lynch, director of The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks, has died

It is with deep regret that we, as his family, announce the passing of the man and artist David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There's a big hole in the world now that he's no longer with us. But as he would say: "Look at the donut, not the hole." We all look forward to his favour. It's a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.

That's the short statement on the artist's official Facebook account.

David Keith Lynch (January 20, 1946, Missoula, Montana, USA - January 16, 2025) was an American film writer, director, producer, painter, musician, composer and performer.

He was an important representative of postmodern cinema. He was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Director category for his films The Elephant Man (1980), Blue velvet (1986) a Mulholland Drive (2001). The Elephant Man was also nominated in the best screenplay category. In 2019, he won an Honorary Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cinematography. He won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival.

David Lynch's father was a scientist and his mother was a housewife. During his childhood, his family moved frequently and eventually settled in Boise, Idaho. Lynch's work was greatly influenced by visits to his grandparents in the Bronx. In 1967, he married Margaret Reavey, his art school classmate. A year later, they had a daughter, Jennifer, who describes her childhood as happy but complicated because she had horse-leg disease. Her parents were then very young, immature and financially insecure.

He received his high school education in Alexandria, then studied painting in Boston. In 1965 he began his studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, graduating four years later.

The main focus of his artistic work was films. His art is influenced by Expressionism and his specific style of directing is characterized by irrational plot construction and surrealistic messages, making his projects generally considered controversial and difficult to digest. Lynch often chose either small American towns (such as in Blue velvet or the series Twin Peaks) or, conversely, the California metropolis (Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive or Inland Empire). His films have not always been commercial successes, but they have enjoyed almost cult-like popularity with fans. The prolific filmmaker used transcendental meditation in his work. He founded a foundation that aims to introduce this meditation technique into schools. In 2012, he filmed an advertising campaign for the clothing brand H&M featuring Lana Del Rey.

His daughter is director Jennifer Lynch.

Wikipedia/ Facebook/ gnews.cz - RoZ