David Lynch on painting, Fellini, and his love for Philadelphia

At the 12th Festa del Cinema di Roma, David Lynch received a Career Award from Paolo Sorrentino and discussed his artistic journey. He confessed he was never passionate about cinema, drawing inspiration instead from Philadelphia's corruption, violence, and architecture. Lynch cited Lolita, Sunset Boulevard, and 8½ as favorite films. He recalled meeting Federico Fellini through Marcello Mastroianni, spending a day at Cinecittà during the filming of Intervista with cinematographer Tonino Delli Colli. In 1993, while in Rome for a Barilla commercial, Lynch visited a hospitalized Fellini, holding his hand and talking for over half an hour. Fellini lamented that young people's enthusiasm had shifted from cinema to television. Lynch described himself as a painter of cinema, enjoying 'ugly, childish' painting and admiring Francis Bacon for his exploration of organic phenomena. He continues to paint and sculpt, with recent exhibitions worldwide.