Monday, October 4, 2010

ERASERHEAD

The next movie in the KZNSA Cinema Thursday programme will be Eraserhead on October 7.

Directed by David Lynch in 1976, this is a cult classic. Eraserhead is surreal horror that cannot be explained in easy terms. It has baffled critics for decades. In one sense it is the dark cinematic realisation of a nightmare.

Created while he lived in Philadelphia, Lynch made the film in a context in which he was troubled by his environment. He says “There was a sense of dread pretty much everywhere I went. I didn't live in any good parts of Philadelphia, and so dread was my general feeling. I hated it. And, also, I loved it.” This was Lynch's first feature film, and he himself has described it as his “most spiritual film”.

The goal of Cinema Thursday Picnic Screenings is to contribute to the development of a culture of film appreciation and filmmaking in our city, and not for the financial gain of the organisers. However, there are running costs incurred by the Gallery, such as set up costs, and the security guard, which we’d like your help in covering. A collection box will be passed around at the screenings into which we’d love you to place a donation should you feel moved to do so.

(NB: The film contains disturbing content)