David Robert Mitchell
Writer-director of a surreal mystery following a young man investigating his neighbor's disappearance in 2011 Los Angeles.
David Robert Mitchell wrote, produced, and directed the 2018 American surrealist neo-noir black comedy thriller film Under the Silver Lake. In May 2016, he was announced to be writing and directing the project with Andrew Garfield and Dakota Johnson originally attached to star. Principal photography commenced on October 31, 2016, capturing the Los Angeles setting over several months. Mitchell continued his collaboration with composer Rich Vreeland, known as Disasterpeace, following their previous work together on It Follows (2014). The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2018, where it competed for the Palme d'Or before receiving polarized reviews and eventually cultivating a modern cult following.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 19 October 1974
- Birthplace
- Clawson, Michigan, U.S.
- Education
- Florida State University
- Years active
- 2002–present
- Credits
- It Follows (2014)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The narrative centers on Sam, an aimless 33-year-old obsessed with conspiracy theories who lives in Silver Lake. After spying on neighbors, he notices Sarah and learns of billionaire Jefferson Sevence's disappearance. When Sarah vanishes overnight leaving a symbol meaning "stay quiet," Sam follows clues from a rooftop party featuring the band Jesus & the Brides of Dracula to a secret show at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. He encounters the Balloon Girl, decodes messages hidden in music albums, and meets the self-proclaimed Homeless King who guides him through underground tunnels. The investigation reveals a conspiracy involving wealthy men sealing themselves with three wives in elaborate tombs to "ascend" to another domain. Sarah and her roommates were revealed to be Sevence's wives who faked their deaths, with Sam eventually drugged by tea and interrogated before being released.
Reader's Guide
Mitchell utilized extensive locations throughout Los Angeles, including the Silver Lake neighborhood, Silver Lake Reservoir, Griffith Observatory, and The Last Bookstore. In October 2016, Riley Keough replaced Dakota Johnson in the cast, with Topher Grace joining soon after. By November 2016, Zosia Mamet, Laura-Leigh, Jimmi Simpson, Patrick Fischler, Luke Baines, Callie Hernandez, Riki Lindhome, and Don McManus joined the ensemble. A24 acquired US distribution rights in May 2016 but delayed the release multiple times: originally June 22, 2018, then December 7, 2018, finally hitting theaters on April 19, 2019, with a video-on-demand release three days later. The soundtrack released worldwide on June 22, 2018, excluding the US where it dropped with the film in 2019. Critics described the film as "Hypnotic" and "bizarre," earning it awards like the Denis-De-Rougemont Youth Award at Neuchâtel and a Special Mention at Sitges.
Did You Know?
- Sam beats the mysterious Songwriter to death using Kurt Cobain's guitar after being shot at.
- The symbol painted in Sarah's apartment is a hobo code that specifically means "stay quiet".
- Millicent Sevence sinks underwater in a pose eerily similar to Sam's favorite vintage Playboy cover before she dies.
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