David Lynch Reveals Emphysema Diagnosis, Can’t ‘Leave the House’ or Direct in Person: ‘I Would Do It Remotely if It Comes to It’

As a long-time fan of David Lynch‘s surrealistic masterpieces, it is with a heavy heart that I find myself empathizing deeply with his current situation. The news of his homebound existence due to emphysema and fear of COVID is truly disheartening, especially for someone as vibrant and creative as him.


David Lynch recently disclosed in an interview that he’s been diagnosed with emphysema, which has led him to avoid going outdoors because of concerns about contracting COVID-19.

“He’s been smoking for such a long time that he developed emphysema, which makes him housebound whether he wants to be or not. Catching even a common cold could be harmful for him,” he shared with Sight and Sound in their September feature (as reported by the Independent). Lynch mentioned that he quickly runs out of breath when walking short distances due to his condition.”

The renowned movie director known for creating “Eraserhead,” “Mulholland Drive,” and the “Twin Peaks” series hinted that he might not direct another film. However, if he does, he would prefer to work remotely rather than being on set, although he expressed reluctance towards this idea. In other words, Lynch mentioned that he’d direct from afar if necessary, but it’s not his preferred choice.

Emphysema refers to a persistent lung issue that often leads to breathing difficulties. Typically, it arises from long-term smoking or prolonged contact with pollutants (Lynch, 78, has been a smoker for most of his life).

In a different part of the Sight and Sound interview, filmmaker David Lynch (who last made a feature film in 2006 with “Inland Empire”) expressed optimism that his 2010 screenplay titled “Antelope Don’t Run No More” might eventually hit the big screens. He acknowledged, however, that the future is uncertain and we can only wait to see what happens.

He likewise talked about “Snootworld”, an animated movie that he started collaborating on twenty years back with Caroline Thompson, who is known for “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Edward Scissorhands”.

More recently, I believed someone might appreciate this concept, so I pitched it to Netflix within the past few months, but they declined. It seems traditional fairy tales are met with groans: apparently, audiences don’t find them appealing. Today’s world makes it simpler to turn down ideas rather than accept them.

Order a copy of the September 2024 issue of Sight and Sound here.

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2024-08-05 18:48