David Keith Lynch (born January 20, 1946) is an American
filmmaker,
television director,
visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his
surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style which has been dubbed "Lynchian" and is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous
sound design. The surreal and, in many cases, violent elements to his films have earned them the reputation that they "disturb, offend or mystify" their audiences.