David Lynch’s 5 Most Unsettling Short Films on Criterion Channel

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The recent demise of David Lynch has created a deep chasm in the realm of cinema and art. Renowned for his boundary-pushing creations and avant-garde style, Lynch fashioned a distinguished career that challenged the norms of storytelling through both narrative and visual means. Although many mainstream viewers might recognize him primarily from the cryptic genius of his TV series “Twin Peaks”, Lynch’s body of work extends far beyond television, spanning groundbreaking films such as “Blue Velvet” and “Eraserhead”, visual art, music, and an exceptional collection of short films.

David Lynch’s Legacy Through Short Films

Short films significantly influenced Lynch’s artistic development, providing an unrefined look at the groundbreaking style he would become renowned for later in his career. Ranging from enigmatic animations to intensely disquieting live-action productions, these works showcase Lynch’s inclination towards examining the subconscious mind, the grotesque, and the indescribable. For those eager to delve into his less famous creations, the Criterion Channel is an excellent starting point.

The Criterion Channel goes beyond being a streaming service; it embodies the cultural significance of a long-standing institution, birthed from The Criterion Collection’s mission spanning over four decades to protect and commemorate cinematic masterpieces. Since the 1980s, the Collection has meticulously assembled an international collection of films, which have graced prestigious film festivals worldwide. This selection is guided by scholars, critics, and archivists who are committed to valuing not just what entertains, but what stands the test of time. The Criterion Channel isn’t merely about preserving classics; it’s about providing a new perspective on cinema and its role in societies across the globe, offering thematic collections and in-depth explorations into directors’ works that foster a deeper understanding and admiration for film as an art form.

Criterion offers a chance to view early films by the director, which showcase the embryonic stages of his distinctive style. These experimental movies, sometimes hard to find or unavailable on other streaming services, are now accessible. Don’t miss out on these unique treasures – they play a crucial role in grasping the lasting impact of David Lynch’s filmmaking career.

5
‘Six Men Getting Sick (Six Times)’ (1967)

David Lynch’s “Six Men Getting Sick” is not so much a short film as it is a living, looping one-minute animation that resembles more of a painting. It portrays six figures in distress, retching against a disturbing background of abstract shapes. Produced during Lynch’s time at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, this piece first appeared in a gallery installation, with an eerie siren adding to its intense, disquieting atmosphere. Upon its debut, it sparked a blend of intrigue and perplexity, serving as an early indication of how Lynch’s work would continuously challenge the definitions of filmmaking.

The Canvas Comes to Life

The short film titled “Six Men Getting Sick” embodies Lynch’s signature style, both in its disturbing content and its unique blend of high art, sound, and visual storytelling. It serves as a powerful declaration for his artistic journey, representing an unyielding exploration into the subconscious mind, where physical unease and psychological strain intersect.

On a minimal budget and without any commercial aims, this work showcases David Lynch’s early fascination with the tangible, textured realm of painting, a passion that would eventually shape the eerie, dreamlike sets of Eraserhead. To contemporary viewers, it’s not merely an exploration—it’s a gritty, uncensored peek into the mind of an artist on the brink of reshaping visual storytelling.

4
‘The Grandmother’ (1970)

In simpler terms, “The Grandmother” by David Lynch narrates an unusual tale about a mistreated child who sprouts a substitute grandmother from a seed, serving as a comforting escape from his harsh home environment. This 34-minute short film combines real-life action and stop-motion animation to generate a confined, dreamlike ambiance that is both intensely personal and disquietingly universal. Financed with an AFI grant, this was one of Lynch’s early ventures into storytelling through narrative, and it was applauded for its inventiveness. It received recognition at film festivals, where critics admired its ability to unsettle and stimulate without relying on conventional cinematic techniques.

Seeds of the Surreal

If “Six Men Getting Sick” showcased David Lynch’s experimental style, “The Grandmother” is where these experimental tendencies started to form a more structured narrative – although it remained just as peculiar. This short film embodies the distinctly Lynchian blend of innocence and terror, portraying a child’s inner realm as both whimsical and terrifying. Its homemade, low-fi quality, from the stop-motion sequences to the eerie sound design, reflects Lynch’s appreciation for the tangible, unpolished aspects of art.

Initially, the piece showcased Lynch’s burgeoning ability to blend surrealism with profound emotion, a harmony that became characteristic of works such as “The Elephant Man” and “Twin Peaks”. To modern viewers, “The Grandmother” stands out as an impressive demonstration of how Lynch transforms human fragility into otherworldly visuals, creating an experience that is simultaneously disquieting and enchantingly beautiful.

3
‘The Amputee Version 1’ (1974)

In simple terms, “Lynch’s The Amputee Version 1” is a five-minute short movie showcasing Catherine Coulson, who became famous as the Log Lady in Twin Peaks, later on. This film consists of just one fixed shot where Coulson is seen writing a letter while blood seeps from her amputated legs. A medical professional, seemingly uncaring, attends to her injuries. Made as a test for AFI to assess a new type of videotape, it was filmed in a single day with limited resources. Despite the lack of resources, it effectively communicates an overwhelming feeling of discomfort within its short duration.

Lynch’s Minimalist Experiment

The Amputee mirrors the distinctive style of David Lynch by evoking deep unease through its straightforward presentation. The stark contrast between the clinical, detached medical attention and Coulson’s ordinary letter-writing underscores the unique blend of surreal and dark humor that characterizes much of Lynch’s artistry. The movie showcases his talent for generating suspense in quiet moments, compelling viewers to grapple with stillness as an active element.

In numerous aspects, “The Amputee” paved the way for the prolonged, unsettling shots and eerie ambiance found in “Eraserhead“. Its stark visual aesthetic and dark wit highlight David Lynch’s ongoing interest in the vulnerability of the human body, a topic he would frequently revisit throughout his artistic journey. For modern viewers, this brief piece provides a peek into Lynch’s talent for creating discomfort with minimalism, a trait that remains significant in his enduring work.

2
‘The Amputee Version 2’ (1974)

The revised title, “Amputee Version 2.0,” maintains a similar narrative theme: Catherine Coulson remains seated, composing a letter while her injured stumps bleed, as a healthcare professional attends to her wounds. However, the technical aspect has been upgraded – the film was captured on a distinct type of videotape for the American Film Institute’s experiment, giving David Lynch an opportunity to subtly manipulate lighting and texture effects. Despite its practical intention, this modification yields another haunting addition to Lynch’s early body of work, showcasing his prowess in generating discomfort even within repetitive or sparse settings.

Variations on Dread

The Amputee Version 2 stands out as distinctly Lynchian due to its meticulous focus on details. Despite a consistent storyline, the modified video stock lends it a unique flavor, underscoring Lynch’s early interest in how format and medium influence our perception. The unyielding, stationary camera maintains its grip on viewers, immersing them in an unsettling world where the ordinary transforms into something nightmarishly bizarre.

As a devoted fan, I found that this new edition, much like its predecessor, showcases David Lynch’s unique ability to unnerve through simplicity. It underscores the recurring themes of vulnerability and detached care, further cementing Lynch’s artistic growth in my mind. For fellow enthusiasts, Version 2 functions as a tranquil exploration into his early forays with form, offering a subtle but enlightening piece to the puzzle that is understanding Lynch’s visual and thematic development over time.

1
‘Premonitions Following an Evil Deed’ (1995)

As a film enthusiast, let me share my take on describing Premonitions Following an Evil Deed: In a mere 55 seconds, I found myself utterly gripped by this haunting masterpiece, created by the brilliant David Lynch for the Lumière and Company project. Using the original Lumière Brothers camera, he managed to conjure up a series of chilling tableaus – from the shocking discovery of a body by policemen, to the palpable distress of a woman, all culminating in an eerie, surreal final scene where figures lurk in the shadows. Despite the technical limitations, Lynch’s signature sense of dread is beautifully and terrifyingly evident in this compact yet chilling short film.

Lynch and the Economy of Horror

Premonitions Following an Evil Deed‘s unique Lynchian quality lies in its condensation of Gothic horror into just a minute’s time. With the Lumière camera’s 52-second limit and stationary perspective, Lynch is compelled to distill his visual storytelling to its core, generating a sequence of eerie, artistic images that seem both ancient and alien. The Gothic overtones—death, dread, and the disintegration of human comprehension—are concentrated into stark, unsettling instances.

In the period when David Lynch had already established his reputation through works such as Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks, this short film showcases his persistent dedication to innovation and his unparalleled skill in creating a sense of discomfort across different mediums. For audiences, Premonitions serves not just as an interesting artifact—it’s a chilling testament to Lynch’s prowess in manipulating fear and beauty with equal finesse.

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2025-02-03 01:32