Watch: Rare Supercut of David Lynch's 20 Bizarre Commercials
This rare collection of commercials gives a new perspective on the iconoclastic work of legend David Lynch.
It's no secret that many famous directors have helmed ads, from Ridley Scott to Wes Anderson. But no one has directed weirder commercials than David Lynch. The Blue Velvet legend is responsible for a staggering variety of spots for, among others, Armani, Alka-Seltzer, and the New York Dept. of Sanitation. They're collected here in this half-hour video, and it's definitely worth a watch.
Commercials almost never have credits at the end; as such, it's hard to know who directed what (with some exceptions, like Spike Lee's famous spots for Nike). Lynch is among modern cinema's most recognizable directors, and his aesthetic obsessions have entered the cultural lexicon, especially the Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks themes of suburban Americana hiding grotesque secrets. So it's no surprise that the majority of his commercials have somewhat of a "Lynchian" flavor. (It's difficult to imagine the auteur taking too many notes from corporate.)
"The money's good, and the added bonus is that I get to use and learn about the latest technology, tools that normally wouldn't be available to me, and then I can use those tools in my feature work." —David Lynch
What's fascinating to watch here is the absurd variety of subject matter and style, from perfume ads to spots for cable channels and Adidas.
Just what are the famous director's motives for getting his hands dirty in the world of advertising in the first place? Well, he's been quoted as saying, "The money's good, and the added bonus is that I get to use and learn about the latest technology, tools that normally wouldn't be available to me, and then I can use those tools in my feature work." Very reasonable.
So kick back, relax, and check out some of the most Lynchian Alka Seltzer and Playstation ads you'll ever see.
Source: Jeff Keeling
