November 14, 2007–David Lynch came to Bulgaria this week to open a transcendental meditation university–and to attend Cinemania 2007, Sofia’s biggest autumn film festival.
Lynch’s trip followed the visit of French director Patrice Leconte during Cinemania 2007, which will screen 74 films November 2-29. Leconte presented Mon Meilleur Ami (My Best Friend), staring Daniel Auteuil.
As is known, Lynch is the founder of the Transcendental Meditation Foundation (www.davidlynchfoundation.org).
Before Bulgaria, Lynch had already visited Ireland, UK, the Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania and others from a total of 192 countries where he plans visits. The aim of his numerous international tours is to build and finance a network of “invincible universities,” dedicated to anti-stress programs for contemporary students. The Scottish rock singer Donovan Leech accompanied the director to enrich the visit with some of his typical “mediation” songs.
Lynch spoke about his new book, “Catching the Big Fish,” both for the Bulgarian film and academic audiences. “I never approach a film with a ready-made idea,” said the cult director, “I always start with the fragments.”
