Week 10 Flashcards
How does Southbound (2015) represent guilt?
Through “personified” monsters that physically manifest the characters’ guilt and punishment
What narrative technique does Southbound (2015) use that relates to anti-redemption?
Repetition - characters are trapped in closed loops with no escape, representing anti-redemption
What Lynchian elements appear in Southbound (2015)?
- Weird uncanny vignettes
- Semi-human figures
- Sparse dialogue
- Diner settings
- Monsters representing inner guilt
How does repetition function thematically in Southbound (2015)?
As anti-redemption - characters cannot escape their fate and are forced to repeatedly confront their guilt
What happens to the characters in Southbound (2015) that demonstrates the “no escape” theme?
They keep returning to the same locations (especially the diner) in an endless loop, unable to escape their fate
What is the Uncanny Valley phenomenon and who first described it?
A phenomenon where almost-human entities create discomfort/unease in viewers
- First described by Masahiro Mori in 1970
What examples fall into the Uncanny Valley?
Zombies, corpses, and human-like robots that appear almost but not quite human
How does the Uncanny Valley relate to the question of humanity?
It raises questions about what is human-proximate versus truly human, blurring lines between humans, machines, and monsters
How does David Lynch use the uncanny in his films?
He creates situations where something feels “a little off,” making viewers uncomfortable because they can’t define where human ends and monster begins
How does the blurred line between humanlike monsters and monsterlike humans challenge our definitions?
It challenges our definitions of creation, revelation, and redemption by questioning what constitutes humanity
What is a “liminal dreamspace” in film according to the course?
A space that invites viewers into a realm of fantasy, horror, whim, and absurdity, blurring the boundaries between reality and dreams
How does religious interruption conventionally occur, and what alternative does Lynch explore?
Conventionally through a “higher world” breaking through into ours. Lynch explores the alternative of an “inner world” breaking through instead
What question does Lynch pose when “the monster walks in”?
“It’s not me…or, is it?” - questioning whether the monster represents something external or is a manifestation of the self.
How does Lynch use dreams in films like Mulholland Drive?
As deeply experiential settings that don’t follow logical rules, allowing for exploration of the unconscious and blurring the line between reality and fantasy
What is Lynch’s perspective on nightmares in Mulholland Drive?
He suggests either “nightmares are real” or “nightmares are very informative” - positioning them as either reality itself or revelatory of deeper truths
What function does Winkie’s diner serve in Mulholland Drive?
It serves as an intermediary space where dreamworld and real world converge, a place of revelation and possibly anti-redemption
Which seven deadly sins are represented in the Winkie’s diner scene?
- Pride
- Avarice (greed)
- Gluttony
- Lust
- Wrath (anger)
- Envy
- Sloth - with Sloth being described as the most insidious as it leads to apathy about the other sins
What is an “interpretive key” in film analysis?
A concept, framework, or lens used to unlock the meaning of a text, event, or phenomenon, providing a guiding principle for understanding complex material and uncovering deeper insights
What is anamorphosis and how does it apply to Lynch’s filmmaking?
- Anamorphosis requires a perspectival shift, a lens, or a vantage point to properly see an image
- In Lynch’s films, understanding depends on where you are in the narrative and may change with repeat viewings.
How does Lynch use recurring imagery (like the bull skull)?
Lynch uses recurring imagery as visual motifs that gain meaning through repetition, serving as symbols that connect different parts of the narrative and prompt viewers to reconsider earlier scenes
What is the significance of the Cowboy appearing multiple times in Mulholland Drive?
The Cowboy appears three times, indicating something bad has happened. His appearances serve as an interpretive key in the film, representing authority and establishing rules within Diane’s dream world.
What is the meaning of the Cowboy’s line “Hey pretty girl! Time to wake up!”?
This line signals that Diane is about to wake up from her long dream. Some interpret this as the moment she shoots herself, while others see it as a call for her to face reality again after being lost in her dream state.
What does the Cowboy represent in terms of the film’s structure?
- Represents a source of ceremony, pedigree, and teaching
- He establishes rules and order in the dreamworld, appearing in a high place above Los Angeles in an artificial setting that contrasts with Club Silencio
How does the Cowboy function as an “interpretive key” in the film?
The Cowboy appears early and returns when the director needs to advance the narrative or signal a revelation. His presence helps viewers understand the framework of the film and indicates transitions between dream states and reality.
