David Lynch dies at 78, he announced he had emphysema last August. Author of milestones such as Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet And Wild heartthe most visionary and irreproducible American director, has been a multifaceted artist difficult to pigeonhole from the beginning.
Able to move in a very personal way between dream and reality, imagination and the unconscious. Especially the female ones, for which he was aaccused shockingly of sexism and even misogyny.
The reason? An excessive e too frequent depiction of violencephysical and psychological, towards women. Useless criticisms that failed to grasp the profound essence of David Lynch’s message: that is the denunciation and condemnation of every form of abuse. His heroinesall unforgettable, are in fact celebrated in every minimal facet and at the same time they represent “matter” for raising awareness of the female psyche.
David Lynch: his female characters
1. Laura Palmer in Twin Peaks (1990-2017)
More than character, Laura Palmer is a symbol of corrupted innocence. Played by Sheryl Lee – who dazzled David Lynch the previous year in Wild heart – from his first appearance wrapped in plastic, dead but still beautifulLaura is one of the most ambiguous figures not only in the seriesalways.
True protagonist of Twin Peaks despite his absence, after the end of the second season he will have a film all to himself: Fire walk with me. In which the last days of the life of the sad high school queen are told.
Where to see it: Now TV
2. Lula in Wild Heart (1990)
Very young and super sexy, Lula (Laura Dern) is one girl who loves her boyfriend Sailor (Nicolas Cage) beyond all limitsdespite the terrible mother doing everything to separate them. Obsessed with The Wizard of Oz, she seems to live in a magical dimension like Dorothybut unfortunately he has to collide with a dirty and evil reality. It began with a family friend who rapes her, and then without her unjustly imprisoned love.
Wrapped in lace leggings and fuchsia dresseswill escape with his Sailor somewhere over the rainbow after an interminable final kiss to the tune of Love Me Tender Of Elvis Presley.
Where to see it: Chili, iTunes, Google Play
Laura Dern and Nicolas Cage on the set of “Wild at Heart” by David Lynch. (Getty Images)
3. Betty in Mulholland Drive (2001)
The film that launched the English actress Naomi Watts is a noir about the female unconscious that is almost impossible to tell. Built on multiple floors tells the (imagined) life of the aspiring actress Betty who, one evening, finds herself hosting Rita, a provocative brunette survived a car accident.
A desperate and complex character, Betty – with her bon ton dresses similar to those of Betty Draper Of Mad Men – he will fall in love with the dark lady. And together with her he will try to discover the mystery that surrounds her, in the squalid undergrowth of Hollywood cinema.
Where to see it: Prime Video, Rakuten TV, Chili, Google Play
4. Renee/Alice in Lost roads (1997)
David Lynch loves doubles. Especially when it comes to women. In the wake of The woman who lived twice he therefore directs this nocturnal and hallucinatory noir starring Patricia Arquette. In a double brunette and blonde version. At the beginning of the film she is Renée, the mysterious raven-haired wife of the jazz musician Fred (Bill Pullman); it then changes color and character by transforming in the platinum Alicea gangster’s babe. But which of the two women is real?
Where to see it: Chili, iTunes, Google Play, Now TV
Patricia in “Lost Highway”.
5. Dorothy Vallens in Blue velvet (1986)
David Lynch’s first real female character arrived in 1986. It’s one singer (apparently) subjected to the perversions and brutality of a psychotic gangster with the face of Dennis Hopper. The shy Jeffrey, in love with her, believing her to be a victim, tries to save her. But in reality he is prey to a spiral of sado-masochism in which the boundary between what he suffers and what he desires is very blurred.
A role beautifully played by Isabella Rosselliniwhich scandalized many at the time. Including the then director of the Venice Film Festival who rejected the film. On the set, love was born between Lynch and the actress.
Where to see it: iTunes, Infinity
6. Chani in Dunes (1984)
It’s the role that Sean Young chooses next the legendary one of the replicant Rachel of Blade Runner. In the unsuccessful, but only commercially, sci-fi that Lynch directed in 1984, the actress plays the beautiful Chani, inhabitant of the planet Dune who falls in love with the protagonistKyle MacLachlan. In the upcoming remake with Timothée Chamalet, she will play Zendaya to resume this sweet and tragic role.
Where to see it: iTunes, Infinity
Sean Young and Kyle MacLachlan in “Dune.”
7. Marietta Fortune in Wild heart (1990)
If you think it doesn’t exist a more cruel and camp cinematic mother than Faye Dunaway’s Dear mother you are very wrong. Marietta Fortune – played amazingly Diane Ladd – is the ultimate in villain: manipulative, sadistic and completely crazy. First he tries to seduce his daughter Lula’s (Laura Dern) boyfriend; then her pride is hurt and she will try in every way to get him out. Over and over again.
The scene in whichdrunk, he smears lipstick on his face and orders the death of his “son-in-law” over the phone. At the Oscars, where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, she scandalously beat her Whoopi Goldberg Of Ghost.
Where to see it: Chili, iTunes, Google Play
Diane Ladd in “Wild at Heart.”
8. Audrey Horne in Twin Peaks (1990-2017)
Despite What happened to him Laura Palmerto compete with her for the myth of the series There’s Audrey Horne. Rich provincial student, mischievous and a little naughty played by Sherilyn Fenn, falls in love with the legendary Agent Cooper and helps him shed light on the mystery of Laura’s death. Sensual and chaste at the same time, it also becomes a style model thanks to her bright red shoes and her tartan kilts. Especially when she is seen dancing in the scene in front of the jukebox.
He also has a film in his CV directed by Lynch’s daughter Jennifer: the disastrous Boxing Helena.
Where to see it: Now TV
9. Nikki Grace/Susan Blue in Inland Empire – The empire of the mind (2006)
Director’s fetish actressLaura Dern appears in four of her works – the latest being the third season of Twin Peaks. In 2006 it’s the turn absolute protagonist of Inland Empire, which like other films is difficult to summarize in a few lines. That’s the story of an actress and her twisted and labyrinthine journeys into the unconsciousdangerously suspended between reality and fiction. And as in Lost Highway, divided between two identities: Nikki Grace and Susan Blue.
The only certain point is the gigantic proof of Dern, who gives himself body and soul to the director’s ghosts.
Where to see it: TimVision, Chili
Laura Dern in “Island Empire”.
10. The Log Lady in Twin Peaks (1990)
Retired library employee, Mrs Ceppo (Catherine E. Coulson) she is a staunch environmentalist considered crazy by many Twin Peaks residents.
After all he always carries with him a small wooden log with which he has a deep mystical connection. Meeting point between citizens and supernatural forces, the strain speaks through her, and before each episode introduces viewers to the story with short monologues. They have become cult moments not only among fans.
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED