Yesterday we received the news that David Lynch died at the age of 78. Countless fans and colleagues are currently remembering the director of Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive. This also includes Steven Spielberg.
Both directors come from the same generation (born in 1946), but their paths didn’t cross permanently until recently. That only changed when Spielberg made his autobiographical film The Fabelmans (2022). In the finale of the film about Spielberg’s youth, David Lynch himself appeared in front of the camerato play another master director. Spielberg honored the deceased in a statement.
“I loved David’s films”: Steven Spielberg honors David Lynch
In his statement (via Variety ), Spielberg first highlighted how important David Lynch is to him as a filmmaker and viewer:
I loved David’s films. Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and The Elephant Man defined him as unique, visionary dreamerwho made films that felt handmade.
In The Fabelmans David Lynch plays the role of legendary director John Ford (The Black Hawk, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance). In the finale, Spielberg’s alter ego Sammy Fabelman meets the grumpy director legend, who gives him important advice for his future career. Equipped with an eye patch, Lynch looks surprisingly similar to the real John Ford – and does the rest for the mood of optimism at the end of the family drama.
For Spielberg it was an opportunity to direct one of his idols:
I met David when he played John Ford in The Fablemans. Here was one of my heroes – David Lynch – playing one of my heroes. It was surreal and seemed like a scene from one of David’s own films.
Also interesting:
Spielberg on Lynch: “His films have already stood the test of time”
It wasn’t easy for Spielberg to convince Lynch to take part in the film. As he revealed to Vanity Fair, he only managed to lure the master director in front of the camera thanks to the mediation of Lynch regular actress and Jurassic Park icon Laura Dern. Lynch had great concerns about whether he would be able to do justice to the task.
This is how Spielberg was able to immortalize David Lynch in his last role in front of the camera. In his statement, Spielberg continued:
The world will miss such an original and unique voice. His films have already stood the test of time and always will.
If you want to catch up on The Fabelmans, you can watch the film as a subscription on Amazon Prime Video or purchase it from the usual purchase and rental providers.