Film Screening: David Lynch's Mulholland Drive

Fresh from the success of its February debut, the sophisticated Second Screen Cult Cinema pop-up film series is screening David Lynch’s 2001 surrealistic film noir Mulholland Drive on Wednesday, March 18, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Vault in Downtown Tampa (located at 611 North Franklin Street). A suggested donation of $5 can be made before entering The Vault to attend the event, and seating is limited to 200 guests. The monthly series also has seasonal memberships available for $50. Downtown Tampa’s Spain Restaurant and Toma Bar is serving up some delectable Spanish fare available for purchase, including paella española served with Cuban bread, chicken salteado and more. A cash bar featuring themed craft cocktails, wine and beer will be open before, during and after the film’s screening, which begins at 7 p.m. and runs 146 minutes. Renowned mixologist Dean Hurst – director of spirits for both Bern’s Steakhouse and the recently opened Haven (formerly SideBern’s) in Tampa – has donated a recipe for a must-try espresso-infused martini he created specifically for this month’s film. Launched as a nonprofit organization by a collective of friends and film aficionados entrenched in the local arts scene, Second Screen Cult Cinema is currently the only curated monthly film series in the Tampa Bay area that will show unconventional and unforgettable cult films geared towards adult movie-goers (18+) looking for a refreshingly unique cinematic experience. Second Screen’s goal is to enrich the Greater Tampa Bay cultural arts community and to enhance Tampa’s flourishing downtown district. “We kicked off this series with Michael Powell’s 1960 thriller Peeping Tom, and now we’re shifting gears with a more contemporary David Lynch classic,” explained Michael Martz, Second Screen’s co-curator and co-founder. “We’re intentionally not limiting our programming to any particular era or genre.” Originally conceived as a TV pilot, the incomparable David Lynch filmed most of Mulholland Drive with the initial plan to keep it open-ended for a potential series (almost a spiritual sequel to the massively successful – and equally bizarre – Twin Peaks). Unfortunately, TV executives rejected it, compelling Lynch to shoot an ending and release it as a feature film. “Lynch’s Hollywood noir tale doesn’t just blur the lines between dream and reality, it erases them completely,” said series co-founder and co-curator Ann-Eliza Taylor. The Wilson Company is donating the use of The Vault for each of Second Screen Cult Cinema’s cinematic events, which run the third Wednesday of every month. In addition to the March 18 screening of Mulholland Drive, upcoming films include Tim Burton’s wildly fun and imaginative feature-length debut Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (April 15) and Mario Bava’s groovy and colorful 1968 comic book action film Danger: Diabolik (May 20). For more information on Second Screen Cult Cinema, visit CultCinema.org or go to Facebook.com/SecondScreenCultCinema. The official hashtag for Second Screen Cult Cinema is #WeAreCultCinema. Constructed in 1919, The Vault is the historic Exchange National Bank transformed into a modern event venue in the heart of Downtown Tampa’s arts district. For more information, visit TheVaultTampa.com or call (813) 225-3450.