Twin Peaks creator David Lynch announced on Monday that he is brimming with happiness and has no intention of retiring, despite his diagnosis of emphysema. This statement came after he previously told magazine Sight and Sound that he might have to stop working. The 78-year-old American filmmaker shared this update on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing gratitude for the concern shown towards his health. He acknowledged that his history of smoking led to his emphysema, a lung disease without a cure.
"Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking," Lynch wrote. "But there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema. I have now quit smoking for over two years. Recently, I underwent many tests, and the good news is that I am in excellent shape except for emphysema," he added.
In an interview for Sight and Sound's September cover story, Lynch revealed that he could no longer leave his home due to fear of contracting COVID-19, which could severely impact his health. "I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long, and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not ... And now, because of COVID, it would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold," Lynch told the British magazine. He also mentioned that he could only walk a short distance before running out of oxygen.
A representative for Lynch did not respond to a request for comment. It seems unlikely that Lynch will ever direct in-person again, but he mentioned the possibility of directing remotely. "I would really hate that," he added, acknowledging that directing virtually would not be ideal for the Oscar-nominated director.
