David Lynch harshly criticizes the consumption of cinema on small screens: "Pathetic and a shame"

David Lynch, one of the most influential and visionary filmmakers in contemporary cinema, has expressed a scathing opinion about a current trend that, according to him, is destroying the essence of the cinematic experience. For Lynch, watching films on small screens, such as computers and smartphones, is the most "pathetic" thing that has happened to modern cinema, compromising the immersion and magic that cinema should provide. Since the release of his first feature film, Eraserhead, in 1977, David Lynch has stood out for his unique style, which mixes surrealism, dense atmospheres and a deep approach to themes such as alienation and humanity. Despite the financial difficulties faced in completing Eraserhead, the film quickly became a landmark, recognized for its boldness and originality. From then on, Lynch consolidated his career with works such as The Elephant Man, which combined his unique style with an accessible narrative, winning over audiences and critics. Throughout his career, Lynch has always valued the visual and sound impact of cinema in its purest form: screening in a dark room, with a large screen and quality sound. He highlights that many of his works, such as Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, were designed to be enjoyed in this environment, where details such as lighting, scenery and sound ambiance create a unique and unforgettable experience. According to him, seeing these works on small devices is a way of depriving the viewer of the true essence of cinema. In an interview with The Independent, Lynch was emphatic when describing this change in film consumption: "If you have the chance to enter another world, you need a big screen in a dark room with great sound. It's a spiritual, magical experience. If you watch the same film on a small computer screen with bad sound, and that's how people are watching films now, it's a great shame. It's a shameful, shameful thing. It's so pathetic." This statement reveals his frustration with the current scenario, where cinema seems to be losing its identity to adapt to new technologies and consumption habits. In addition to the impact of small screens, Lynch also expressed concern about the future of independent and alternative cinema. He notes that films that are not major commercial productions face enormous difficulties getting space in theaters, which limits diversity and innovation in the film industry. "With alternative cinema, any kind of cinema that isn't mainstream, you're out of luck getting theater space and an audience to watch it. Even if I had a great idea, the world is different now. Unfortunately, my ideas aren't what you'd call commercial, and money really rules these days," the director said. This reflection by David Lynch highlights a contemporary dilemma: the valorization of profit and convenience to the detriment of the artistic and cultural experience that cinema can offer. For him, cinema should not just be a product consumed quickly anywhere, but a deep immersion that transforms the viewer. Therefore, he insists on the importance of preserving the exhibition in appropriate rooms, where the magic of cinema can be fully experienced. So the next time someone thinks about watching a David Lynch film on a laptop or smartphone, it's worth remembering what the filmmaker himself would say: this practice is "pathetic" and represents a significant loss to the art of cinema. Lynch's message is a call for audiences to value and revive the traditional cinema experience, ensuring that this art form remains alive and relevant for future generations.