"Art is extremely important, but peace is also important." With a virtual discourse that appealed to conciliation, especially in turbulent times like the ones we are living, David Lynch became a kind of "cult" emissary of good will between Mexico and the United States.

He did so last Tuesday, during a press conference at the Guanajuato International Film Festival (GIFF), which paid homage to the figure of the filmmaker this year. 

"Let's think about the other side of this transition for a world of peace. If I were president, Mexico and the United States would be much more united. There would be no wall. There would be sharing and friendship," added co-creator of Twin Peaks.

Lynch entered the "virtual show" from his painting studio, where he is "in isolation and enjoying it."  

The director also wanted to bring a little hope, especially since Mexico and the United States are two of the countries being hit hardest by the pandemic — the former registering more than 74,000 deaths while its president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, is facing a wave of demonstrations because of his management of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the U.S., the virus has killed over 200,000 — more than its last five wars.

"Whoever is helping this virus go away so that we can return to work and so-called normal life. Crazy things have happened these days, but I'm sure there are great stories coming. I hope everyone in Mexico is okay," said Lynch.

His cinematic surrealism has also been noted for its political statements over time. If on this occasion, he wanted to be president of the U.S., overthrow the wall, the director already sowed the seeds of controversy in 2018 when he declared to Britain's The Guardian that Donald Trump could end up being "one of the best presidents in history." Of course, Trump took advantage of the "strange" commentary to fatten up his Twitter account and did so at a campaign rally in South Carolina. "(Lynch) He says he voted for Bernie Sander, but now he says ... that Trump may have been the right choice after all," the president said, amidst cheers and laughter. "His Hollywood career is officially over."

Both men were wrong.

Fans of the director of movies such as Blue Velvet or the delirious Inland Empire were able to enjoy an unknown side of Lynch during the quarantine — Lynch, the YouTuber. 

If his work is characterized by a dreamlike universe and at times, sinister and aesthetical, his videos on YouTube are much more domestic as he often gave daily weather forecasts in Los Angeles or surprised viewers by fixing a sink. 

But sometimes, he also took the opportunity to send messages to the world for causes that deserve to be positioned by artists and influential people. One example was the message of support he sent to the Black community after George Floyd's murder by the police with a sign on the back that read: "Black people's lives matter. Peace, justice, no fear."