BLUE VELVET (David Lynch, 1986)

“After finding a severed human ear in a suburban field, a clean-cut college student (Kyle MacLachlan) becomes ensnared in a voyeuristic criminal underworld. His obsession draws him into the orbit of a tortured lounge singer (Isabella Rossellini) and a brutally sadistic, polymorphously perverse criminal (Dennis Hopper).”

Please note unusual day of the week!

THE PHENOMENON & AWARDS:
David Lynch’s surrealist neo-noir masterpiece shattered conventional boundaries of American independent cinema, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Director, and sweeping the National Society of Film Critics Awards (winning Best Film, Director, and Cinematography). It is universally recognized as a monumental touchstone for subverting suburban realism through highly artificial aesthetics and transgressive subtext.

THE BASICS:

1. The Prep: Watch the movie before the event, if you can. If you didn't like it or didn't finish it, you can still come.
2. The Format: The host will briefly introduce some context for the film before the discussion begins. Just use the hand raise emoji before you speak.
3. The Participation: You are highly encouraged to join the conversation, but you can just listen. There is never any pressure to speak.
4. The Flow: We log on at 7:00 PM PST. You can come late and/or leave early if your schedule requires it.
5. The Scope: We discuss opinions on the film, the characters, the surrealism, and its distinct deployment of queer themes, styling, and subtext.

THE CREDITS:

• Written & Directed by David Lynch
• With KYLE MACLACHLAN, ISABELLA ROSSELLINI, DENNIS HOPPER, LAURA DERN, HOPE LANGE and DEAN STOCKWELL
• Runtime: 2 hours
• Official Trailer: Watch the original 1986 trailer
• Where to Watch: Check JustWatch for streaming or rental options.