Stella McCartney unveils short film featuring David Linchsss

CULTURE

STELLA MCCARTNEY UNVEILS SHORT FILM FEATURING DAVID LYNCH

A film that explores the benefits of Transcendental Meditation

WORDS

by JEENA SHARMA

PHOTOGRAPHY

COURTESY

of STELLA MCCARTNEY

British designer Stella McCartney has collaborated on a new short film called ‘Curtains Up’ that celebrates transcendental meditation and filmmaking.

The film features Twin Peaks director David Lynch and stands to benefit the David Lynch Foundation that works to prevent and eradicate trauma and toxic stress among at-risk populations through transcendental meditation.

Streaming exclusively on www.nowness.com, the nine-minute short film was created by Los Angeles based creative studio Tete-a-Tete founded by filmmaker Austin Lynch and artist Case Simmons.

Structured around the concept of a “film within a film,” powerful images showcasing movement and activity on the surface of life and nature through light and color contrast pulsing and film projector sounds.

Narrated by Lynch, the film features an eclectic ensemble cast and a special cameo by McCartney herself.

Curtains Up by Stella McCartney

David Lynch Acts in Stella McCartney's Short Film "Curtains Up"

A still from Stella McCartney's 'Curtains Up'

“This film is comprised of potent portraiture of artists, the mechanics of film projection, and painterly depictions of nature, Lynch’s words become a guide, navigating us along this celebration of personal transcendence and artistic creation,” explained Austin Lynch and Case Simmons.

Lynch has been a dedicated practitioner of Transcendental Meditation since 1973. Inspired by his book Catching the Big Fish, “Curtains Up” aims to illustrate how the method is part of the creative process. The powerful film provides insight into the technique that Lynch attributes to his success.

“When you dive within, the Self is there and true happiness is there. There’s a pure, huge, unbounded ocean of it. It’s bliss--physical, emo¬tional, mental, and spiritual happiness that starts growing from within,” said Lynch.

Stills from Stella McCartney's 'Curtains Up'

“Transcendental meditation is very much a personal sense of space and clarity for me. It is one of the most liberating things that I can do to find clarity, mindfulness and wellbeing. It is an incredible concept, for humanity that allows you be a better person, be more productive, more thoughtful and more calm,” added McCartney. “I believe in it so much that collaborating with David Lynch Foundation in this film was a natural step. I’m a huge admirer of David, he’s an icon and a genius. He has such a dark calmness in everything that he does, his talent is just undeniable and I think that he’s made a true mark in the world of cinema and also in the world of mindfulness,”

Stella by Mary Official

STELLA MCCARTNEY

Stella McCartney is a luxury lifestyle brand that was launched under the designer’s name in 2001 and was under a 50/50 partnership with Kering until March 31st 2018. Stella’s approach to design emphasizes sharp tailoring, natural confidence with a naturally sexy attitude. The brand is committed to ethical values, and believes the company is responsible for the resources it uses and the impact it has on the environment. It is therefore constantly exploring innovative ways to become more sustainable, from designing to store practices and product manufacturing. As a lifelong vegetarian, Stella McCartney does not use any leather or fur. The brand now offers women and menswear ready-to-wear, as well as handbags, shoes and a kid’s line. The collections are currently available in more than 100 countries at wholesale, and through 53 freestanding stores. For additional information, please visit:

stellamccartney.com

“I believe in it so much that collaborating with David Lynch Foundation in this film was a natural step. I’m a huge admirer of David, he’s an icon and a genius.”

- Stella McCartney -

DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION

The David Lynch Foundation (DLF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2005, that addresses the epidemic of trauma and toxic stress among under-resourced populations by offering courses in Transcendental Meditation. DLF has served more than one million children and adults worldwide, with a focus on underserved youth, veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, and women and children survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. DLF also works with those dealing with substance use disorder, the homeless, prison populations, people living with HIV/AIDS, and others.

“When you dive within, the Self is there and true happiness is there. There’s a pure, huge, unbounded ocean of it. It’s bliss--physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual happiness that starts growing from within.”

- David Lynch -

TÊTÊ-À-TÊTÊ

Tête-à-Tête is a Los Angeles based creative studio founded by filmmaker Austin Lynch and artist Case Simmons. Following in the footsteps of his father David Lynch, Austin Lynch is a filmmaker and painter. Austin co-directed the Webby Award winning “Interview Project” and The Lovie Award winning “Interview Project Germany”. He also directed “Making The New World,” a chronicle of the production of Terrence Malick’s “The New World,” and “Making There Will Be Blood,” about Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood.” His experimental feature film “Gray House” (2017) premiered at CPH:DOX, where it was awarded Special Mention in the main competition.