‘Melissa Anderson’s wonderful, insightful writing changes not only how we see cinema, but feminism and politics in general. Her profound examination of actor Laura Dern’s astonishing presence in David Lynch’s late masterpiece is not only a brilliant evocation of how images work on the mind, but how powerful “acteurs” are in the creation of that waking dream also known as movies. What a marvellous book!’ 
Hilton Als

‘A whirling, digressive journey through time and place, cinema and storytelling, Anderson’s slim yet mighty volume is a transcendent work of queer, feminist film criticism, saturated in deep scholarship, affection and respect for Lynch and their shared muse, Laura Dern.’
Jenni Olson

‘Melissa Anderson is one of my favourite film critics of all time. In her bravura and compassionate account of Lynch’s (and Laura Dern’s) Inland Empire, Anderson gives a masterclass in how to elucidate star magic.’
Wayne Koestenbaum

About the film
When a once-feted Hollywood actress is cast in a movie rumoured to be cursed, she tumbles into a dark L.A. odyssey. Reality splinters and identities multiply in Lynch’s final film, a phantasmagoric epic electrified by Laura Dern’s lead performance.

About the author
Melissa Anderson is the film editor of 4Columns. From 2015 to 2017, she was the senior film critic for the Village Voice. She is a frequent contributor to Artforum and Bookforum. 

Author: Melissa Anderson
Year: 2021
Pages: 128
Dimensions: 4.5 x 6 in.
Cover: Softcover
ISBN: 9783981918694
Language: English