Rita Car Scene

Question 1

Postmodern intertextuality

Answer 1

Postmodernists give importance to plurality and relativity.

Intertextuality is a part of meta-fiction in which the filmmaker references elements of other works (could be pastiche or homage) in order to play upon preconceived concepts or directly associate meaning

Question 2

What genre does the car ride reference?

Answer 2

Noir or Crime thriller

Question 3

Sound

Answer 3

Angelo Badalamenti - slow tempo, moody, atmospheric, synth score

Question 4

Rita’s role

Answer 4

Rita’s role as an alluring, attractive, mysterious causal agent is key noir stuff

Question 5

Limo driver

Answer 5

Suited, deadpan gunmen are also key noir characters

Question 6

Noir visuals?

Answer 6

The low-key lighting and cinematography in the sequence are core noir

Question 7

Intertextual reference?

Answer 7

The narrative of a woman losing her memory in a car accident is referential to the show ‘Dynasty’. Many other films or television shows use car accidents, amnesia or both as causal events. Lynch might play upon the cliche, is it irony?