08-04-2025
Two historic Roc theaters host Lyttle Lynch Series honoring iconic late filmmaker David Lynch
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Movie lovers have a range of options to soak in the silver screen in the Rochester area, after all motion pictures wouldn't be where they are today without the influence and technology of Kodak. But even for non-movie lovers – there are new and exciting experiences to explore film history and impact.
When iconic filmmaker David Lynch passed away in January, two historic art houses teamed up to give way to an expansive tribute, ergo, A Lyttle Lynch Series.
From 'Eraserhead' to 'Mulholland Drive,' 'Lost Highway,' 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me,' and 'Blue Velvet,' David Lynch is known for his surrealist and experimental style as an artist who has spanned decades and media. The impact of his film and art is described as 'immeasurable.'
Now through the next several months, the Dryden Theater at the George Eastman Museum on Park Ave. and The Little Theatre around the corner on East Ave. will take turns showcasing films from this resounding and legendary artist.
'We've gotten a lot of feedback from Lynch fans who are excited for this series but it's also a great opportunity for anyone who has not seen any David Lynch movies but is curious to come out and check them out for the first time,' says Scott Pukos, Director of Communications at The Little Theatre.
Where possible, the films are show in their true intended format: 35 mm print. Part of the work done at the George Eastman Museum not only covers conservation of these prints, but also preservation and restoration, as explained by Anthony L'Abbate, Preservation Manager of the Moving Image Department at the George Eastman Museum.
'If the film was originally on nitrate or acetate films which both decompose, then we're putting it on a more stable film stock, which now is polyester; and then we could also, from these new film elements make scans to have a digital version of the film that could be shown in theaters that can no longer show and exhibit films,' L'Abbate says.
The prints are stored in what's called 'The Vault' which has specific conditions set to ensure longevity.
'40 degrees Fahrenheit and 30% relative humidity — cool and dry which will slow down any of the aging process and any of the decomposition,' L'Abbate specifies.
In a world where digital is often king, the effort of preservation and restoration are essential to documenting history so it can be shared with future generations.
'You can't have a streaming if you don't preserve or restore the film – you still need to go back to a source that gets transferred somehow. To make digital files you have to have an original and you want to keep those around as long as possible, even for like a 100 year old film that's on nitrate stock that has the potential of burning or exploding – we don't throw it away, because if its still in good shape, even if we preserved it 15 years, 25 years down the road, there might come along something that is a better way of preserving it then, then we have now,' adds L'Abbate.
The delicate nature of working with film requires meticulous attention to detail, especially when it comes to the final stop before the print is showcased. Enter Sheryl Smith: the Chief Projectionist at the Dryden Theater. She outlines the lengthy procedures required before any type of screening can be accomplished.
'That inspection is to make sure that the print is going to make it through the projector safely and also we're gathering information and filling out a report: what will the projectionist need to know in order to project the film and have a great show — which is identifying sound tracks, identifying aspect ratios and cue-marks have to be at a certain place so we have to make sure those measurements are correct. And also there's a countdown at the beginning of each film and that needs to be measured into a certain way so that when we do the changeovers the countdown timing and the changeover cues are matching up with the film,' Smith says.
'Being a projectionist is great because you're at the final finale of everything that went in to make that film and you're able to share it with an audience and communal experience and that part of film preservation is really exciting for me – that's what I enjoy – sharing what we do with the community on the big screen,' she adds.
The first showing in the series already happened featuring 'Eraserhead' (an original print the George Eastman Museum acquired in the 80's from a collector) and had a turnout of more than 250 audience members. Next up, it's The Little's turn – with e a presentation of 'Mulholland Drive' on Saturday, April 12th at 7:30 p.m.
'There are reasons that people still go to the Louvre to see the paintings, there are reasons that people still go to Statue of Liberty to touch it. There's something about being in the same space as that iconic object, that piece of art that still makes the cinematic experience special,' says Jared Case, Curator of Film Exhibitions.
The remainder of the film series presentations (with 35 mm specifics) listed below:
The Short Films of David Lynch (Various, 55 min, DCP)Saturday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. at The Little Theatre
Wild at Heart (David Lynch, US 1990, 125 min, 35mm)Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dryden Theatre
Lost Highway (David Lynch, US 1997, 134 min, 35mm)Friday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dryden Theatre
The Straight Story (David Lynch, US 1999, 112 min, 35mm)Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. at The Little Theatre
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