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