Tributes have been pouring in since the announcement of the death this Thursday of David Lynch. From “Elephant Man”, released in 1980, to “Mulholland Drive”, in 2001, the American filmmaker left his mark on several generations of spectators and actors with whom he collaborated. Marion Cotillard, Kyle MacLachlan, Naomi Watts and Nicolas Cage are among those who took to their social media to share their pain.
One of the most poignant messages was written by actor Kyle MacLachlan. He had the opportunity to collaborate with David Lynch in the adaptation of “Dune”, released in 1984, “Blue Velvet”, in 1986, and in the television series “Twin Peaks”. “Forty-two years ago, for reasons beyond me, David Lynch brought me out of the shadows to star in his first and last big-budget film,” the 65-year-old actor wrote on Instagram. He clearly saw something in me that even I didn’t know. I owe my entire career, and my life in fact, to his vision. »
“What I saw in him,” he continues, “was an enigmatic and intuitive man with a creative ocean flowing out of him. He was in touch with something that the rest of us wish we could reach. »
“One of the greatest artists of this era”
Marion Cotillard starred in her 16-minute short advertising film, “Lady Blue Shanghai,” aimed at promoting the Dior brand. “Oh, I’m so sad,” the actress wrote on Instagram. I’m so grateful that our paths crossed and that I had the chance to be filmed by you. Being by your side was like being in connection with such a deep place in the heart and soul. I wish you a wonderful trip David. »
Nicolas Cage played Sailor Ripley, a young man passionately in love, in “Sailor and Lula”. This role won him a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1990. “David was a singular genius of cinema, one of the greatest artists of this era and all others. He was courageous, brilliant and a nonconformist with a cheerful sense of humor. I have never had so much fun on a film set as working with David Lynch. It will always be solid gold,” the 61-year-old actor said in a statement.
-Naomi Watts played the role of Betty Elms, a young woman arriving in Los Angeles in the hope of becoming an actress in “Mulholland Drive”, released in 2001. A film which earned David Lynch an Oscar nomination in the category of best director. “My heart is broken. My boyfriend Dave… The world will no longer be the same without him, writes the 56-year-old actress on Instagram. His mentorship has been truly powerful. He introduced me to the world I had been trying to break into for over ten years, failing auditions left and right.
And continues: “Finally, I sat down in front of a curious, beaming man, speaking words from another era, making me laugh and putting me at ease. How could he see when I was so well hidden, and even lost sight of myself? ! » Naomi Watts, who will be “eternally grateful”, concludes her message with: “Have a good trip, Buddy Dave! Thanks for everything. »
For Steven Spielberg, David Lynch agreed to play the role of John Ford, a cinema legend, in his autobiographical film “The Fabelmans” (2022). “There was one of my heroes, David Lynch, who played one of my (other) heroes. It was surreal and felt like a scene from one of David’s own films,” the director comments in a press release. “The world will miss such an original and unique voice,” he concludes. His films have already stood the test of time and they always will. »
