Describe a recent film by a contemporary director. What is specific about his/her style?

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Describe a recent film by a contemporary director. What is specific about his/her style?

The recent production of David Lynch shows that the director does not create movies for wide audiences and does not take into account their tastes and prizes his independence above everything. This was emphasised in each of his films but in his recent film he surpassed himself and overstepped the limits. In my opinion, he played tricks on those viewers who every time make attempts to find logical meaning of the plot and every little piece of his films. Lynch once again shows that the real world should be left behind.

        “Inland Empire” seems to be the most confusing of Lynch’s films. It is a three-hour film of incoherent sequences, which provide the impression that we are in a psychopath’s dream. Lynch constructed this film from elements which are well-known to those who have contact with his art. He included in the film non-linear, complex structure and imagery hard to interpret. He blurred the boundaries between reality and dreamlike sequences, incorporated nightmarish visions, symbolic dreams, cryptic lines, that is to say, everything we can expect in David Lynch films. We can also find here states between dream and awakening, detours to subconscious and other worlds. It is hard to distinguish which events, centering around the leading character are real and which refer to delusions and dreams. There are recurring shots of red curtains, scenes with camera moving along dimly lit corridors or rooms strangely lit with bedside lamps.

        What is new about this film is the fact it was created in an unconventional way. It was a great challenge for the actors, who did not have the complete version of the script, but single scenes. They were not familiarized with the story. Director only gave them hints to scenes created at the current moment. The novelty about production of the film is the way of filming it. Lynch used a digital camera what resulted in uneven structure and unconventional frame of the film. Pictures made with artistry and skills are mixed with ones make the impression as if made in amateurish manner. Experimental approach towards filming also resulted in hard perception of the film. Visually the film is challenging. This can be illustrated by close-ups of blurred, distorted faces in the sharp background and intensive, tiring light at parts. As to light the whole film seems to be plunged in darkness and faded. The colours seems faded too, for instance red curtains are strangely faded. All in all, the encounter with this film can be confusing and shocking.

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Generally, the encounter with Lynch’s films can be a problematic experience. His over-expressive style, exaggerated details, surreal sequences and world balancing between the states of dream and awakening can be hard to watch and confusing for the viewer. Films of David Lynch Lynch show his sensitiveness to images, colours, sounds, music and the way actors speak and move. It can be easily perceived that Lynch is relentless in using imagery in his films. Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart Twin Peaks fill the viewer with unforgettable images.

 David Lynch has his favourite themes, motives and shots, which he treats ...

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