Pan Left Productions

Inland Empire, the latest movie from director, David Lynch, has had a surprising effect on me. I confess, I have not been much of a Lynch fan in the past. I'm not familiar with most of his work. My experience has been limited to Blue Velvet (ok, but not great for me, people may cringe) and Wild at Heart (i liked better, go figure). I read some reviews on Inland Empire, and I was turned off after reading how chaotic and difficult it is to watch for audiences, but then i saw this article in the Village Voice http://www.villagevoice.com/screens/0732,lee,77431,28.html Lynch used the Sony PD-150 DV camera. The same camera we use at Pan Left. Then I changed opinion, this I had to see, The experience was just different all together. I felt I was introduced to Lynch for the first time, and from articles I've read as well as discussions, this actually is a new start for Lynch in certain aspects. Inland Empire, for me at least, has re-awakened the possibilities of digital video in cinema.

The brief history of DV in the film industry has caught my attention before, but Inland Empire has realized the potential of DV and given a template for all those involved in the digital medium. Recently Lynch himself has come to his own realization about film and his relationship to digital. His experiences from working with it have led him to the conviction that, "Film is dead." http://www.lostmag.com/issue13/cinematography.php I can't help but take this into account after watching Inland Empire. I believe Lynch used this movie to prove that point. It's given me a feast for thought, and, for myself, I too see this truth and believe film is dead.
[added perspective from Lynch is offered in this online video http://www.amazon.com/Lynchs-Inland-Empire-Limited-Two-Disc/dp/B000QQFKY... Just the beginning though, the rest is Lynch's current Transcendental Meditation propaganda tour he's doing, which some might like if you want to watch further.]

Inland Empire is not solely responsible for this self-realization, but it was the catalyst that caused me to question and ask, what does film mean to me? The answers have led to many thoughts, and many more questions, but there is no doubt that I now choose to devote myself to digital and abandon film.

I'm still working toward reaching a more coherent explanation to a philosophy I feel is being developed, and I'll reveal more in future posts. I hope at that time, people who haven't seen the movie will also be able to offer opinions. Or even now, if something I've written gives reason to comment, then please do.

However, I still am also looking for more thoughts from those that have seen Inland Empire. But this also might be a bit difficult because I come from a perspective that finds revelation in the aesthetic of Inland Empire, not so much the content. If you haven't seen it and might be curious, I do feel there should be a somewhat of a Warning: For myself, it was very difficult to watch. Plot is pointless, characters are confusing, and the images could be described by audiences as, disturbing, explicit, gross, misogynistic, racist, pretentious, alienating, and probably countless other adjectives. To say the least the content does provoke dialog, and countless reviews I've read go forward to take on the discussion. I too have an interest in having those talks, however, I am curious about the catalyst Inland Empire sparked in me. I wonder, do others see what I'm seeing? Do people find something liberating in the aesthetic?

For at least now, if you are going to watch Inland Empire on DVD, I ask three favors. 1) Watch it only on a TV set. 2) Before you press play, scroll down to the "picture set up" option on the menu, and follow the instructions. 3) Try to watch the whole movie, take breaks if you have to. It's very long and intense.

After that... well, I guess we'll see.