Lost Highway-a lesson in filmmaking
Three aspects that inspired me
4 July 2025
I’ve recently made a short film inspired by the dark and surreal films of David Lynch and Lost Highway was particularly inspiring for its cinematography, use of sound and ability to build up tension. It’s definitely not an easy watch but so are many of David Lynch’s films. Watching it more than once helped me appreciating and noticing everything that makes this such a brilliant film.
The low-key lighting, the seducing dreamlike atmosphere and the saturated red details were what first caught my attention in this film. The mysterious and terrifying darkness in which the characters navigate through inspired the mood of my film Killing Time. I was also influenced by the beautiful composition of the frames and the use of light as part of it. By having a dark atmosphere, the warm light sources create shapes that become proper elements of the scene. The occasional blue flashes that appear throughout the whole film break the continuity of the warm and dark look. It inspired the similar red abstract effects that I used in Killing Time to heighten the tension.
Another aspect that characterises David Lynch’s films is the multiple realities in which the characters appear to live in and switch from. The different scenarios are linked with each other in an unconventional and surreal way. It influenced the idea behind my noir sequence in which two characters are preparing for an encounter that we don’t know about. Many elements in the film hint at various possibilities about what could happen. The one thing that’s certain is the constant reminder that something bigger is watching and playing with them.
Sound design plays an important role in this film. I’m Deranged by David Bowie is the song playing in the very first scene and it immediately drags us into a compelling urge to rush on the highway. We don’t even see where we’re headed, we just follow the hypnotic and absorbing music which is leading us into a whole new dimension. The alternation between ambient cinematic music and the rock jazz songs enhances the beauty and complexity of the atmospheres in this film. They help setting the tone in each scene and adding depth to the story. The fearful hum sounds in the background subtly increase the tension and the mystery, while the eclectic mix of songs enhances the fast-paced scenes. It influenced the way I used sounds effects and music in my film.
Killing Time is a sequence of dreamlike moments that creates a film-noir-style mood.
