My Beautiful Broken Brain, a documentary executive produced by David Lynch about a young woman recovering from the devastating effects of a hemorrhagic stroke, has been acquired by Netflix. Dutch-French filmmaker Lotje Sodderland—the subject of the film as well as its co-director—contacted Lynch during the filming process after she began experiencing altered sensory perceptions that made her “feel like [she was] in a David Lynch movie.” Next thing you know, she was.
“I am thrilled to join Lotje and Sophie in sharing My Beautiful Broken Brain with the world,” Lynch, who also appears in the film, said in a statement. “The brain is truly fascinating and much in the way that our brains are able to achieve total coherence — finding enlightenment and fulfillment, you will surely be moved and inspired by this journey of self-rediscovery.”
Anyone familiar with Lynch’s filmography should not be surprised that he would have been interested in the “waking dream” aspect of this documentary. Even less so if they know that the director once allegedly agreed to shoot a commercial for a home pregnancy test because it involved “the psychological torture of a beautiful young woman.” So, this clearly has David Lynch scrawled all over it.
My Beautiful Broken Brain will begin streaming on Netflix on March 18, two days before the end of SXSW, where it’s been chosen as an official selection.