The Life and Legacy of David Lynch – Part 1

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David Lynch has passed away from this world, but it feels like a dream, much as his unique body of work does. After hearing the news, I reached out to Matthew Kalil, who has been a student of Lynch’s since he was 13 years old. As a teacher of screenwriting at the David Lynch Film School in Iowa for four years and author of “The Three Wells of Screenwriting“, Kalil shared some profound insights about the legendary figure that was and is David Lynch. Here’s what transpired during our first conversation.

Matthew, it’s such a pleasure to be speaking with you in what is quite a sad time for two really big fans of David Lynch.

Yeah, it’s good to be here. Thanks so much. It’s been an interesting 24 hours.

Yeah, I have been speaking to you on an ongoing basis about having this retrospective with David Lynch in mind because we are such big fans of his, and then the crushing news to hear that he had passed yesterday. I just didn’t expect it because he’s one of those legendary figures that just seems as though he’s going to go on and on indefinitely, you just don’t think there’s a chance that he could leave this earth that he so loved. You have a very special connection to that because you actually are an Associate Professor at the David Lynch Film School in Fairfield, Iowa. So can you tell us a little bit about how you’re connected in that respect?

For nearly five years, I’ve had the privilege of working at the film school, which occasionally required video calls, many of them involving David. Since he instructed us to address him as such, I will refer to him as David, not because we are close friends but due to his preference.

To clarify, I don’t intend this to come off as boastful, but I had the fortunate opportunity to participate in numerous Zoom meetings with him, which allowed me a unique perspective of him beyond just his reputation as a renowned film director. It’s important to remember that when you meet your idols, there’s always the risk of being let down. However, my experience was quite the contrary… despite never having met him in person due to his reclusive nature.

I visited his home in Los Angeles, but unfortunately didn’t get a chance to meet him. Instead, I met his long-time acquaintance, Michael, who turned out to be quite extraordinary… I often liken him to the Dalai Lama of filmmaking as he fosters creativity, self-expression, and greatness in others. This mindset is evident during our Zoom sessions.

I must say I was very envious when I heard that you had the opportunity to interact with him and meet him and being a hero of mine as well, and just loving what he did as an artist and as a filmmaker… it really is a massive gap that he’s leaving behind. And it feels interesting that there’s a plane that’s sort of taking its journey across the skies now. I know that David was very much fascinated by the world and electricity and the way things work and getting to the nitty gritty and that alienating feeling of going just beyond… not actually fully understanding how things really do work. That fascination and curiosity comes through in his films. So what was your initial reaction?

Over the past four and a half years during our Zoom meetings, it was evident that his health was deteriorating. About two years ago, there was a serious health issue, though details were kept private among his close circle. Later, he developed emphysema, which he eventually disclosed in 2024.

Despite his deteriorating health, it’s fascinating that during his last Zoom meeting, he seemed full of energy. It was as if there was a brief spike before the inevitable decline. Remarkably, he has agreed to address our students in their upcoming residency in February, showing no signs of slowing down. He appears eager to carry on being his usual self, David.

Every time we interacted with him, it felt like discovering a precious gem, knowing that our time together was limited. However, as you pointed out, it seemed unbelievable that such an event would occur, given his long-standing presence in my life. I’ve known him since I was 13, and his work, including the movie Dune, has been part of my life ever since. He’s had a profound impact on me, and it’s only now, after his passing, that I truly feel this connection. It’s quite unusual, but today I find myself deeply connected to him – not just as a person, but as an artist whose influence has shaped my life significantly.

Upon learning about this news, I wasn’t exactly surprised, but it was still quite shocking, deeply saddening, and left me thinking “oh no, why now?” However, you should know that David has discussed the topic of death before, viewing it as a move to another stage in life. His belief system is influenced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s teachings and a form of Hinduism, which can be seen as a lighter version of the religion in certain aspects. He believes in reincarnation.

Reflecting on a chat with a buddy of mine, he casually mentioned how intrigued David seems by different rooms and the transitions between them. You’ll often notice this in his films, as characters traverse dimly lit hallways or step from one room into another shrouded in darkness. It’s almost like he’s physically moved from one space to another, yet his essence lingers strongly.

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2025-01-17 23:43