David Lynch Chooses Five Classic Films For Special AFI Fest Sidebar

Sure, David Lynch is one of today’s most beloved and talented filmmakers, but apparently, the guys got some fantastic taste in films.

Guest to this year’s AFI Fest, the mind-bending auteur has selected five films for his special sidebar to the festival, which is running from November 4 to 11.   The films?

According to the LA Times, Lynch has chosen Ingmar Bergman’s Hour Of The Wolf, Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita, Jacques Tati’s Mon Oncle, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, and Billy Wilder’s classic film, Sunset Boulevard. Also included in this sidebar will be Lynch’s debut film, the haunting Eraserhead.

Personally, the most interesting choice here is Lolita, a film that seems to get lost in the career of Kubrick.   It’s a fantastic film that, despite being beloved by film geeks around the world, is lost along with something like Barry Lyndon, as underappreciated Kubrick classics.   I also love the addition of the Bergman film, one of the few Bergman film’s I have yet to take in.   Then there is Tati, Wilder and Hitchcock, all three of which are directors, and Mon Oncle, Sunset Boulevard and Rear Window more exactly, films that can’t be missed.   They are three classic films from their respective genres and eras, rounding out a rather impressive list of films.

If you check out the AFI Fest and/or any of these screenings, please, let us know!

Source: LA Times

From the official AFI Fest Press Release:

AFI FEST 2010 presented by Audi ANNOUNCES FILMS SELECTED BY DAVID LYNCH ‘“ AFI FEST’s GUEST ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

FREE TICKETS TO ALL SCREENINGS AVAILABLE THURSDAY

Early Access to Tickets for AFI Members on Wednesday; Festival Box Office Now Open for Patron Package and Pass Sales

LOS ANGELES, CA, October 25, 2010 ? AFI FEST 2010 presented by Audi announced today the five feature films selected by its first-ever Guest Artistic Director, David Lynch, for his special sidebar program at the festival. As part of the program, the festival will screen Lynch’s first feature film, ERASERHEAD, which was made while Lynch was a Fellow at AFI’s Center For Advanced Film Studies, now known as the AFI Conservatory. Lynch graduated from AFI in 1970.

Lynch’s selections are: HOUR OF THE WOLF (DIR Ingmar Bergman), LOLITA (DIR Stanley Kubrick), MON ONCLE (DIR Jacques Tati), REAR WINDOW (DIR Alfred Hitchcock) and SUNSET BLVD (DIR Billy Wilder).

‘I picked these particular films because they are the ones that have inspired me most. I think each is a masterpiece,’ said Lynch. ‘If people have already seen them, they are certainly worth being seen again. And if people haven’t seen them, here is an opportunity to see what I consider cinema at its best.’

Lynch, who is noted for such films as ERASERHEAD, THE ELEPHANT MAN, BLUE VELVET, MULHOLLAND DRIVE and INLAND EMPIRE as well as the TV series, TWIN PEAKS, will attend the festival on Saturday, November 6 to present the double-bill of ERASERHEAD and SUNSET BLVD. Beginning today, the public is invited to tweet questions for Lynch to address at the double-bill presentation. Questions should be sent to the AFI FEST Twitter account (@AFIFEST). Lynch has prepared special video introductions for the remaining three films.

As Guest Artistic Director, Lynch has created artwork that serves as the official image of the 24th annual festival. Starting today through November 11 (while supplies last), those who purchase an AFI Membership, AFI FEST Patron Package or AFI FEST pass will receive a limited-edition commemorative poster of David Lynch’s festival artwork.
Lynch’s festival art, along with exclusive video content, is featured on the AFI FEST iPhone app, available for download at the iTunes store starting today.

This year’s AFI FEST celebrates a number of AFI Conservatory alumni, including David Lynch, the festival’s Guest Artistic Director; director Edward Zwick and the creative ensemble of LOVE & OTHER DRUGS (World Premiere Opening Night Gala); and director Darren Aronofsky and the creative ensemble of BLACK SWAN (Closing Night Gala).

Free tickets to AFI FEST will be available to AFI members on October 27 at noon and to the general public on October 28 at noon. This year, festival-goers will be able to get last-minute tickets at AFI.com/AFIFEST the day before the screening or at the festival box office the day of the screening. Rush Lines for screenings will begin forming one hour before the scheduled screening start times.

Becoming a patron of the festival and purchasing a Patron Package or one of the other festival passes ‘“ including the New Auteurs Pass, the Special Screening Pass and the Gala Pass ‘“ secures reserved seats and other festival benefits. Additional information is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST, 1.888.AFI FEST and on-site at the AFI FEST box office at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood.

AFI FEST 2010 presented by Audi will take place in Hollywood, California at the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Mann Chinese 6 theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel from November 4-11, 2010.

The Hour of the Wolf Trailer:

Lolita Trailer:

Mon Oncle Scene:

Rear Window Trailer:

Sunset Boulevard Trailer:

Eraserhead Trailer: