Film News: ‘David Lynch Swerves’ Author Martha P. Nochimson on Indie Outlook

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CHICAGO – Acclaimed film critic and writer Martha P. Nochimson gave an exclusive interview to Indie Outlook, the independent film blog and podcast founded by Hollywood Chicago staff writer Matt Fagerholm. Her book, “David Lynch Swerves,” reveals how the titular director’s interest in quantum mechanics and the Holy Vedas of the Hindu religion provide a key to understanding his later work on an exhilaratingly new level.

Nochimson’s analysis of 1997’s “Lost Highway,” 1999’s “The Straight Story,” 2001’s “Mulholland Dr.”, and 2006’s “Inland Empire” is a must-read for any serious scholar or fan of the filmmaker’s incomparable oeuvre. In her interview with Indie Outlook, Nochimson discusses her fascinating theories regarding Lynch’s work, her enlightening conversations with physicist David Albert and the invigorating, often overlooked message that the director wishes to convey to his audience. Other recent stories on Indie Outlook include two in-depth interviews with Kate Lyn Sheil and Kentucker Audley, the stars of Amy Seimetz’s “Sun Don’t Shine,” a quietly riveting crime drama that has quickly become one of the year’s most critically praised microbudget productions. There’s also an analysis of Michael Cera’s directorial debut, the quirky short, “Brazzaville Teen-Ager,” based on the short story of the same name by Bruce Jay Friedman, whose work inspired 1972’s brilliant satire, “The Heartbreak Kid,” starring Charles Grodin. Making his first film appearance in seven years, Grodin co-stars in Cera’s film, thus inspiring Indie Outlook to highlight five essential films from the great actor’s under-appreciated career.

David Lynch Swerves by Martha P. Nochimson.
Photo credit: University of Texas Press

By MATT FAGERHOLM Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com matt@hollywoodchicago.com