Expansion, Growth, Perspective
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The Mindset Gazette
DAVID LYNCH: THE LOSS OF A TOREMENTED, YET BRILLIANT MIND
By Anthony Collincini
Disturbed, mysterious, yet darkly alluring. The work of the late, great David Lynch can be described in many ways, but conventional would not be one of them. Lynch was a movie director far ahead of his time, and quite frankly, in a realm all his own when considering his work against any time period in cinema history. He did way more than just push back on social acceptance and societal norms. He created his own world which encompassed anything and everything other than the status quo. The methods of the late director can be described as consistently unconventional to say the least, and that is where his true mystique lies.
In a society with very strict and outlined adherents, Lynch ignored all social cues in the name of art. His style has been found as disturbing in some cases as it is thought provoking, yet the soul of his work is undeniable.
Throughout his movie making career and beyond, Lynch's projects continually cautioned that reality is rarely what it seems. Sometimes you just have to dig far enough beneath the surface to uncover eternal truths. And even then, answers are still fleeting, and difficult to ascertain. In no movie is this more prevalent than his cult classic "Eraser Head". Set in a bizarre, almost rotting, blue collar, factory-ridden environment, this film explores the fears and insecurities held deep within the human condition, using over the top, grotesque tactics to demonstrate his message and own social undoing.
Lynch's work didn't always stand out to the novice movie viewer, but appealed to a much more unique audience type. His core audience was one that constantly self-analyzed, and dissected society in the most open and vulnerable ways possible. They questioned everything around them, routinely operated outside the bounds of social norms, and consistently turned that analysis inward. His target viewers yearned for deeper meanings, which Lynch vaguely provided, while still simultaneously leaving no clear answers or resolutions... only more questions about life's fascinating intricacies. But that is the exact recipe that draws his fans in. The director was able to manipulate time and boundaries with his brilliant, yet tormented imagination, leaving those who delve deeper into his art, with a film viewing experience they are sure to remember for a lifetime.
Even with his surreal, off-kilter, chaotic style of movie making, Lynch was able to gain mainstream notoriety, most notably with his motion picture Mullholand Drive. This is probably a good starter film for those looking to sample some of the director's artistry, before really having your senses overrun by his warped imagination and obscure story telling abilities. He demonstrates his unique and more obscure talents with movies such as Wild at Heart, and Lost Highway. For the true soul seeker though, if you really want to lose any semblance of reality and mental stability, search for his piece simply titled "Rabbits". I'll leave it at that.
The director's true genius lies in the way he influences the concepts of time, violence, mental instability, and abuse, to name a few. In so doing, he manages to reach depths of the human experience very few have ever explored.
Photo by Anthony Collincini, "David Lynch: The Art Life"
David Lynch was more than a director. He was an innovator in the art of storytelling. A true artist in every sense of the word. His themes and characters confused you, inspired you, and even disgusted you at times, but they all shared one common thread. Although his characters were all very different on the outside than what you're probably accustomed to experiencing, they all have a much deeper human core that we all can relate to. Sometimes we have to delve a little bit deeper into the depths of our minds to find that relatability, but the similarities certainly exist more than we'd like to admit. Using Nicholas Cage from Lynch's film "Wild At Heart" as an example, the character was clearly unhinged, yet his outer demons seemed to mimic many of our own internal struggles, which most of us hide deep-down inside, far from prying eyes.
Lynch encouraged you to feel. He encouraged you to think. And most notably, he encouraged you to acknowledge truths about yourself that you would never admit in any public forum or setting. Your mind was his canvas. His crippling insecurities, and demonic appetite for shattering societal norms, was his brush. He used your vulnerabilities and curiosity as a way into your psyche, and once there, the type of chaos only he could create would inevitably ensue. That is where his true brilliance lies. His art materialized in the form of your own hopes and fears. He was a master of environment, and used that mastery as a means to elicit emotions we never knew we had.
The world lost a pioneer on January 15th, 2025, but Lynch's passion lives on. The late Director's work will be celebrated and studied for decades to come. I for one am thankful for the unique, inspiring, thought provoking, and many times bizarre, experiences his work has provided, as his message has always been one of artistic independence, and severe societal analyzation.
David Lynch has taught us that reality is much more complex than we as humans give it credit for. Never be afraid of the unknown, as that is where true experiences occur. These are the parts of Life that are truly fascinating and transformational. He reminded us to always leave our minds open, and to never be afraid of where our inner thoughts may lead us. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn of your true mental capabilities, and those experiences can be life changing.
Below is a list of some of my favorite films from Lynch's catalogue, in no particular order. These are not for the faint of heart, but will surely leave an impression on you in one way or another. Enjoy, and let the journey into the perils of your mind begin...
Mullholand Drive (Most critically acclaimed)
Blue Velvet (Most notable, after Mulholland Drive)
Wild At Heart (Didn't get the notoriety I believe it deserves, but one of my personal favorites)
Eraser Head (A true journey through Lynch's tormented imagination)
Lost Highway (A dramatic journey through time, and more)
Inland Empire (Unique in its own right, for seemingly having no purpose, outline or plot)
Rabbits (Certainly something you've never seen before, and probably never will again)
What Did Jack Do? (A journey through Lynch's world)
Feel free to message some of your favorite Lynch projects not listed above to
Anthony Collincini is a New Jersey native, Rutgers graduate, and founder of The Mindset Gazette. He's a city inspired entrepreneur who loves to travel, so he got hitched to a flight attendant. You can find his pictures from around the world and more, on Instagram @anthonycollincini
Featured Image: Digitally enhanced original image by Anthony Collincini, from "David Lynch: The Art Life"
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