‘If you are truly wild at heart, you’ll fight for your dreams’ – The Good Witch in Wild at Heart (1990, David Lynch) 

On January 15th, writer, director, painter, and, most importantly, artist David Lynch unfortunately passed away at 78 years old, leaving behind a legacy like no other. Writing about Lynch’s impact on cinema is challenging as it is all-encompassing and undeniable. Without Twin Peaks (1990-91) or Blue Velvet (1986), the crime genre wouldn’t be the same, and without Mulholland Drive (2001) or Inland Empire (2006), modern indie cinema as we know it would be obsolete.  

Inspired filmmakers and close collaborators with Lynch rushed to commemorate not only him as a film director but also the human being whose art changed their lives for the better. Actress Laura Dern, a friend of Lynch and leading lady in many of his works, labelled him ‘art’s greatest dreamer.’ which perfectly sums up why audiences adore him. If David Lynch taught us anything, it is that good truly can defeat evil, and even when it doesn’t feel that way, love is what makes the world go round. On the surface, his work might be strange and cynical, but pockets of hope unveil a longing for a better world that is devoid of the irony you may expect. Do yourself a favour and watch a David Lynch film. You won’t regret it.