Book description
From his cult classic television series Twin Peaks to his most recent
film Inland Empire (2006), David Lynch is best known for his
unorthodox narrative style. An award-winning director, producer, and
writer, Lynch distorts and disrupts traditional storylines and offers
viewers a surreal, often nightmarish perspective. His unique approach
to filmmaking has made his work familiar to critics and audiences
worldwide, and he earned Academy Award nominations for Best Director
for The Elephant Man (1980), Blue Velvet (1986), and Mulholland Drive (2001).
Lynch creates a new reality for both characters and audience by
focusing on the individual and embracing existentialism. In The
Philosophy of David Lynch, editors William J. Devlin and Shai Biderman
have compiled an impressive list of contributors to explore the
philosophy at the core of the filmmaker's work. Lynch is examined as a
postmodern artist, and the themes of darkness, logic, and time are
discussed in depth. Other prominent issues in Lynch's films, such as
Bad faith and freedom, ethics, politics, and religion, are also
considered. Investigating myriad aspects of Lynch's influential and
innovative work, The Philosophy of David Lynch provides a fascinating
look at the philosophical underpinnings of the famous cult director.
""Very well done. The Philosophy of David Lynch shows
careful attention both to philosophical rigor and to the nuances of a
complicated filmmaker." -- James B. South, Philosophy, Marquette
University" --
William J. Devlin is assistant professor of philosophy at
Bridgewater State University. He lives in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Shai Biderman is in the philosophy department at Boston University.
He lives in Tel Aviv, Israel.
