David Lynch’s directorial genius is undeniable, with a career marked by innovative storytelling and unique visual styles. In his decades-long career, the filmmaker has often pushed the boundaries of cinema. But before his health took a turn for the worse, Lynch had made a surprising vow to never make a feature film again.
This shocking revelation stunned many fans and critics, as it seemed to mark the end of an era for one of the most celebrated creative minds in the industry. However, the filmmaker’s reasoning for it was equally surprising.
David Lynch’s Shocking Reason for Quitting Feature Films
David Lynch‘s career trajectory is a testament to his unique vision and tackling the most unconventional narratives in cinema history. In his memoir titled Room to Dream (via Guardian), the director gave the audience a closer look at his life. The 577-paged memoir alternates between his own recollections and those closer to him. It dives deeper into his early painting career, four marriages, and various relationships.
Thus, revealing two distinct sides of the filmmaker. One being his reclusive visionary side and the other a savvy media player. In the memoir, the director recalled that he comes alive discussing ideas, even comparing them to a fish drawn towards a captivating bait. Further, his storytelling concept was driven by emotion and institution rather than structured plots or beat points.
Lynch remained true to the concepts and ideas that mesmerized him, using cinema to express them in a way that deeply excited him. However, despite his love for cinema’s superior sound and picture quality, he added that he was not planning to make a big-screen movie anytime soon. He added:
I would not make a feature film in today’s world, because the kind of films I make couldn’t be on the big screen for very long.
Lynch revealed that he preferred television above feature movies as it accommodated more open-ended and ongoing narratives. The filmmaker insisted on understanding his own stories but left the interpretation to the imagination of the audience. Further, avoiding explanations that would diminish their overall impact.
It was because of this reason that he rarely gave interviews, as he believed that discussing his work in words would diminish the unique language of cinema.
David Lynch Reveals Major Health Issue, Impacting His Future in Filmmaking
It’s been years since David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return seamlessly integrated cinema and television. However, since then the legendary director has not worked on any new feature movie since the last one being 2006’s Inland Empire. Now, in a recent turn of events, it makes complete sense why the filmmaker has been slowing down in his career since the last decade.
In a new feature cover (via Sight and Sound) for his upcoming album with Chrystabell, the director revealed that he’s been dealing with emphysema. He added:
I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long, and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not. I can’t go out…because of Covid, it would be very bad for me to get sick, even with cold. I can only walk a short distance before I’m out of oxygen.
Further, this condition makes it difficult for him to direct any project physically. Further, if things do come to directing a venture, he’d have to do so remotely, as he cannot risk going out due to the fear of contracting COVID. But despite his medical concerns, Lynch has no plans of retiring anytime soon.
