SILVER

Wild at Heart: The Films of David Lynch

April 25–July 8
Described by Pauline Kael as "the first populist surrealist — a Frank Capra of dream logic," David Lynch (1946–2025) forged a singular path through American filmmaking. Lynch began his first feature, ERASERHEAD, while attending the AFI Conservatory. This groundbreaking film, which he directed, wrote and produced, became an instant cult classic. Lynch followed this success with THE ELEPHANT MAN, for which he received his first Oscar® nomination for Best Director. Later, with BLUE VELVET, Lynch blended the American pastoral with film noir's urban anomie, plus a touch of kinkiness usually found in the grindhouse, ushering in his signature style; the film earned Lynch a second Oscar® nomination for Best Director. 1990’s WILD AT HEART, TV sensation TWIN PEAKS and its film prequel, plus LOST HIGHWAY and MULHOLLAND DRIVE — named the eighth best film of all time in a 2022 Sight and Sound poll — capitalized on Lynch’s favorite themes: memory, identity and duality. This series also includes his spin on Frank Herbert’s “Dune;” the surprisingly accessible THE STRAIGHT STORY; his last feature INLAND EMPIRE; a taste of his prolific output of short films via a collection of six digitally restored shorts; and a peek into the filmmaker’s mind in the documentary DAVID LYNCH: THE ART LIFE. His fearless, intensely personal quest resulted in a rich body of work consisting of strange, beautiful films. Now is the time to revisit that awe-inspiring filmography on the big screen.