Eraserhead

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Eraserhead

Introduction by cinematographer Frederick Elmes on Jan. 18

1977. 89 m. David Lynch. Janus Films. US. English. Rated NR.

David Lynch’s 1977 debut feature is both an immortal cult sensation and a work of extraordinary craft and beauty. As Henry (Jack Nance), a lonely drifter living amidst an industrial wasteland, discovers that a former lover (Charlotte Stewart) is pregnant with their child, he marries her, only to find that the child is no ordinary baby…

With its mesmerizing black-and-white photography by Frederick Elmes (his first credit as director of photography for a feature film) and Herbert Cardwell, along with its unforgettably evocative sound design, this nocturnal odyssey continues to haunt American cinema like no other film.

In celebration of Frederick Elmes’ work on Father Mother Sister Brother, we are pleased to highlight four classic films shot by him and directed by such luminaries as Jim Jarmusch (Night on Earth—35mm), Ang Lee (The Ice Storm—35mm), Charlie Kaufman (Synecdoche, New York—35mm), and David Lynch (Eraserhead).

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"Gothically shot in black and white and numerous shots that have influenced the next generation of directors, this is a classic, no matter how comfortable it is to watch."
Steve Beard, Empire

"It's beautiful and strange, with its profoundly disturbing ambient sound design of industrial groaning, as if filmed inside some collapsing factory or gigantic dying organism."
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

PAST EVENTS

Introduction by cinematographer Fred Elmes

Saturday, Aug. 19 2017, 10:00

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Visionary cinematographer Fred Elmes is responsible for some of the most gorgeous and memorable images in contemporary American filmmaking. With a body of work spanning almost fifty years, his incredible knack for capturing moving images can be seen in dozens of films from several beloved directors including Jim Jarmsuch (Night on Earth, Coffee and Cigarettes, Broken Flowers, Paterson), Ang Lee (The Ice Storm, Ride with the Devil, Hulk), and David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart), as well as his work on cult classics like Valley Girl and River’s Edge. Recently, Fred’s work can also be found on television, having shot several episodes of two HBO miniseries, Olive Kitteridge and The Night Of.

Introduction by cinematographer Frederick Elmes

Sunday, Jan. 18 2026, 5:30

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Frederick Elmes’ long career as a cinematographer began with his collaborations with David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart) and John Cassavetes (The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Opening Night). Elmes' feature film work includes multiple films for directors Ang Lee (The Ice Storm, Ride With the Devil, Hulk) and Jim Jarmusch (Night on Earth, Coffee and Cigarettes, Broken Flowers, Paterson). Other collaborations include Charlie Kaufmann (Synecdoche, New York), Mira Nair (The Namesake), Bill Condon (Kinsey), and Jim Sheridan (Brothers).