In January the film world lost its most innovative voice, an idiosyncratic genius who brought an avant-garde edge to the Hollywood mainstream. David Lynch’s unforgettable TV series Twin Peaks revolutionised the small screen forever, while movies like Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart and Mulholland Drive seduced audiences with their unique blend of dark humour, extreme violence, heartfelt melodrama, heady surrealism and dangerous sexuality.
Now, a major event in London is set to celebrate the work of David Lynch with a weekend of celebrity guests, live performance, live music and DJs, art, cosplay and film screenings. Taking place on September 26-27 at the Genesis Cinema in Whitechapel, A Gathering of the Angels will invite attendees to enter a world both beautiful and strange.
Among the special guests attending the festival will be several actors from Lynch’s movies including Dexter Fletcher and Lesley Dunlop, who each made youthful appearances in Lynch’s London-set masterpiece The Elephant Man. Fletcher has of course gone on to become a highly successful actor-director in his own right with films like Sunshine on Leith and Rocketman on his CV, while Dunlop would go on to play Brenda in Emmerdale.
Among the weekend’s other attractions will be the UK premiere of a new documentary about one of Lynch’s closest friends and collaborators. I Don’t Know Catherine: The Log Lady tells the story of Catherine Coulson, who worked with Lynch on his very first filmed project, Eraserhead, and on his last, Twin Peaks: The Return. It’ll be followed by a Q&A with director Richard Green, who also played the mysterious Magician in Lynch’s Mulholland Drive.
Music played a vital role in Lynch’s work, and this will be reflected across the festival. As well as live music at the Blue Velvet-themed Slow Club, the festival will close with back-to-back DJ sets from big-time Lynch fans Tim Burgess – lead singer of The Charlatans and founder of Tim Peaks coffee – and DJ Yoda, globe-conquering DJ and all-round mash-up icon.
The weekend will also include online panels that’ll be fascinating not just to Lynch fans, but to anyone interested in the art of filmmaking.
Saturday’s discussion will include appearances from the co-author of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, Robert Engels, alongside that film’s cinematographer Ron Garcia and others.
A second panel on Sunday will involve cinematographer Peter Deming, who shot Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks: The Return as well as movies like Evil Dead 2, The Cabin in the Woods and, um, Drop Dead Fred; editor Duwayne Dunham, who cut Blue Velvet and all three series of Twin Peaks (he also edited Return of the Jedi!); casting director Johanna Ray, who worked with Lynch on every project from Blue Velvet onwards, alongside movies like Starship Troopers, Kill Bill and Showgirls; plus other Lynch collaborators.
Across the weekend, attendees will also enjoy live performances from London’s beloved Lynchian cabaret troupe The Double R Club; a fully immersive theatrical experience named The Mulholland Drive Dreamscape; group meditations hosted by the David Lynch Foundation; an exclusive charity auction of David Lynch memorabilia; a quiz, costume competition and much more.
Head to the official site for more information and tickets.
Find out where Mulholland Drive lands on our list of the 100 greatest films ever made.
The best outdoor cinemas in London this summer.