Sometimes misunderstood genius, David Lynch passed away at the age of 78 this Thursday, January 16, 2025. This news devastated film lovers all around the globe, as this great man made a significant mark on our era. With his 10 films, ranging from the wonderful Mulholland Drive to the cult classics Blue Velvet and Elephant Man, along with his masterpiece of the small screen Twin Peaks, the American director truly left his mark.
In Paris, from the Cinémathèque Française to the Filmothèque du Quartier Latin and the Grand Rex, many hot spots of Parisian cinema shine a light on David Lynch's work with regular retrospectives and exceptional screenings. But this great man doesn’t just impact the dark rooms of the capital, as he has genuinely left unforgettable traces for all Parisians. Let’s take a look back at these five significant moments of his time in Paris.
He designed a legendary nightclub in the 2nd
Completely designed and decorated by the director in 2011, Silencio is a true Lynchian temple right in the heart of Paris. Located in the undergrounds of 142 rue Montmartre, its name references the iconic club we saw and loved in Mulholland Drive. A hybrid space entirely dedicated to art, music, and cinema, of course, it perfectly reflects the mystical universe of the director and today, it draws crowds and international superstars alike.
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Silence
142, rue Montmartre – 2nd
He shared an artist studio in the 14th
In addition to his filmmaking talents, David Lynch has dabbled in the arts throughout his life, from painting to drawing to photography. It was actually in a studio in the Montparnasse district that the director honed some of his techniques. Similarly, the 1,400 m² glass-roofed studio situated in an old Parisian printing house – which has hosted lithographic works by greats like Matisse, Picasso, Miro, and Chagall – is a true meeting place for both French and international artists. A new generation of contemporary artists have kept the spirit of this place alive, as well as the technique of lithography, with David Lynch alongside Jean-Michel Alberola, Sophie Calle, JR, Izumi Kato, Paul McCarthy…
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Atelier Idem Paris
49, rue du Montparnasse – 14e
He exhibited his works at the Fondation Cartier
We're telling you: art in its broadest sense played a major role in Lynch's life, shaping all his activities. After many years refining his drawing and painting skills, the filmmaker presented his very first retrospective in France in 2007. Paintings, drawings, photographs, sound installations… With the exhibition The Air is on Fire, David Lynch set the Fondation Cartier ablaze and immersed Parisians in the intimacy of his creative world and complex imagination.
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View of the David Lynch exhibition, The Air is on Fire, Fondation Cartier for contemporary art, Paris, 2007. © Patrick Gries
Fondation Cartier for contemporary art
261, boulevard Raspail – 14th
He Played at Olympia
Since he obviously touches on everything, David Lynch has also showcased his musical talents in some wonderful venues around the world, including the iconic Olympia in Paris. Alongside John Neff – a friend and sound engineer – Lynch presented his experimental album BlueBOB, which blends blues and rock with lyrics as paranoid as they are dark. Once again, a reflection of his unique universe.
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L’Olympia
28, boulevard des Capucines – 9e
He filmed a scene from Twin Peaks in Paris
In 2017, viewers were treated to the return of Twin Peaks on screen. A third season – which, let's be honest, didn't quite hit the mark – is neither a spin-off nor a reboot, but the continuation of this tragic story that ended in 1991. So, it’s 26 years later that the narrative picks up again, still starring Kyle Maclachlan and Sheryl Lee. This time, however, we venture away from the gloomy vibes of Twin Peaks and head to Montana, Las Vegas, New York, and even Paris, where FBI agent Gordon Cole (played by David Lynch himself) meets Monica Bellucci on a terrace in the 14th arrondissement.
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Twin Peaks
Available on myCanal and Amazon Prime
