On January 7th, 2026, the BFI Southbank hosted a David Lynch panel featuring special guests proficient on the filmmaker. The panelists included writer Simran Hans and author Tom Huddleston, with lead programmer for BFI Southbank, Kimberley Sheehan. The entire panel was hosted by the head of cinema programme for BFI Southbank, Justin Johnson. While discussing elements that defined Lynch’s distinctive cinematic style, they also focused on the influences he had outside cinema.
David Lynch was beyond comprehension, and this is what makes him so illusive to the public. He challenged our perception of what film could be. Instead of simply using the medium for artistry, Lynch used it for his vision. It was an outlet for his ideas as much as it was a form of entertainment for the audience. Hans, Huddleston, Sheehan and Johnson all thoroughly believe these ideas surrounding Lynch. In 90-minutes their passion for Lynch truly came through, along with just how much they have dived into his lore.
As someone who is new to Lynch, in terms of studies surrounding the auteur, the panel was informative and entertaining. We first got to learn about how each panelist discovered Lynch. Hans’ introduction involved watching the television program Lost (2004-2010). She was told the series was a rip off, that it resembled Twin Peaks (1990-1991; 2017). Then once she watched Lynch’s series, her world was forever changed. For Huddleston, it was a bit different. His father was a massive Frank Hebert fan, thus his first Lynch film was Dune (1984). Then, Sheehan discussed getting into film at the age of 12 to 13. While reading film magazines, Mulholland Drive (2001) was voted film of the year. She did everything in her power to convince her parents to let her watch it. Every time someone finds Lynch, a new way of understanding what he wanted to say is discovered.
Straight into it, Lynch’s influences could be seen through his work on the screen were discussed. What became interesting was their pointing out that he was very open about some aspects but then reserved about others. Sometimes he would not admit specific films or inspirations that could be seen. But for others, he would openly state where it came from. He was open but also reserved as a creative and person, and this adds to the interest the world has in him.
The panel became somewhat of a conversational history lesson about David Lynch. But, of course, unlike a documentary or book, the audience got to hear real people discuss this fascinating man. Lynch started out as a painter and when he saw the works of Frances Bacon, the creative world opened up in front of his eyes. His first experimental art piece, Six Men Getting Sick (1967) was a painting to Lynch, but the world saw it as a short film.
As a panel, they talked about how others spoke of Lynch, including Isabella Rossellini when they worked on Blue Velvet (1986) together. Not only do the people who study Lynch (e.g. the panel) have such a fascination with the man, but those who knew him more personally did too.
Using all of my written notes regarding the panel, we could sit here and read them. Or we could simply reflect on the idea of a panel full of David Lynch enthusiasts. There are so many stories about Lynch, from family, friends and coworkers. No matter how much you talk about the man, it continues to be clear that he is one filmmaker the world will never understand, and never forget. Combine the stories with simply the impact of Lynch’s cinema and you have yourself an enigma.
He has been called a genius, a misogynist, so many more things. His career spanned over such a generational run but also filled such a spectrum. His interest in evil was definitely there. But it was the fact that he knew evil hit women more, that made him different. Some criticize him on his choice to put women at such a forefront as he did, but others truly believe he did it for a reason.
Never would I have thought I would go from studying David Lynch in University to covering the British Film Institute’s tribute season. There is so much more out there to discover on this amazing auteur. With the help of this amazing panel it provided me with more insight into the mind of Lynch. Though they might not all be autobiographical, there is no denying that Lynch imbued all aspects of himself within his films. It is intensely evident that this filmmaker threw himself into everything and into his art. An idea that will be able to be seen by the world forevermore.
