The Last Take
A heartfelt tribute to film stars who have recently passed away.
Filmhuis Den Haag presents 'The Last Take'
Filmhuis Den Haag proudly presents The Last Take, a special series of screenings that bring the finest films of recently departed film stars back to the silver screen. This heartfelt tribute offers film enthusiasts the chance to relive iconic works and pay their respects to legendary actors and actresses. By showcasing their most celebrated films, we honor their artistic legacy and reflect on the profound impact they have had on the world of cinema.
The Last Take is a unique opportunity to experience the unforgettable moments these stars have given us one final time, bidding farewell in a manner that celebrates their talent and contributions to film history. Don’t miss this extraordinary series of screenings and immerse yourself in the magic of cinema, revisiting the greatest names in film history.
Previous Editions
Anouk Aimée (1932–2024) – Un Homme et une Femme – July 2024
Donald Sutherland (1935–2024) – Klute and M*A*S*H – August 2024
Alain Delon (1935–2024) – La Piscine – August–September 2024
Shelley Duvall (1949–2024) – 3 Women – August–September 2024
Pim de la Parra (1940–2024) – Wan Pipel and Obsessions – September 2024
Gena Rowlands (1930–2024) – Gloria – September 2024
Maggie Smith (1934–2024) – The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie – November 2024
David Lynch (1946–2025) – Inland Empire, The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, Lost Highway – January 2025
Now Screening
Inland Empire (David Lynch)
2006
Inland Empire follows an actress trapped in a surreal labyrinth of identity, dreams, and nightmares, blurring the lines between reality and fiction while exploring themes of self-destruction and the disorienting effects of fame. English spoken.
The Elephant Man (David Lynch)
1980
The true story of John Merrick, a severely disfigured man whose journey from exploitation to dignity highlights the profound themes of human cruelty, compassion, and societal judgment. English spoken.
Blue Velvet (David Lynch)
1986
A young man’s discovery of a severed ear in a quiet suburban town plunges him into a dark world of crime and obsession, unraveling the sinister secrets hidden beneath everyday life. English spoken.
Lost Highway (David Lynch)
1997
Lost Highway follows a man who, accused of murder, mysteriously transforms into another identity, navigating a surreal journey of crime, guilt, and psychological trauma that blurs the lines between reality and memory. English spoken with NL subs.
Head of Programming Sophie about David Lynch
Filmhuis Den Haag honors the recently departed director David Lynch with screenings of four of his most beautiful, groundbreaking, and thought-provoking films. His influence on arthouse cinema is nearly impossible to put into words:
“Lynch” has become synonymous with exploring what lies beneath the surface—both in society and within ourselves. The “weirdos” that populate Lynch’s films are never seen from the outside; they are given their own voice and treated with the director’s deep respect. This approach allows audiences to connect with what unfolds on screen because, deep down, we are all “weirdos,” and no one understood this better than Lynch.
The Program:
The Elephant Man
Lynch’s breakthrough film tells a story that is, for him, surprisingly conventional. It follows John Merrick, a man with severe physical deformities who becomes known as “The Elephant Man” while being exploited in a traveling circus. Heartbreaking and haunting, this is an essential film for anyone wanting to better understand Lynch’s oeuvre and worldview.
Blue Velvet
After The Elephant Man, Lynch directed Dune, a major studio production where he had little creative control—a fascinating failure. Yet, this led to a triumphant outcome: Lynch’s next project, under an agreement with producer Dino De Laurentiis, granted him full creative control, or “Final Cut.” The result was Blue Velvet, a captivating crime thriller that defined the term “Lynchian” and paved the way for his legendary TV series Twin Peaks.
Lost Highway
In Lost Highway, nothing is as it seems. The story begins with a man on death row who undergoes a complete transformation, assuming a new identity and embarking on a surreal journey. This film merges surrealism, suspense, and gangster noir into a single, mind-bending experience.
Inland Empire
For true Lynch enthusiasts, we present a rare screening of this underappreciated gem from 2006. In Inland Empire, the boundaries between fiction and reality blur as an actress dives deep into a complex role, descending further into her subconscious. As viewers, we follow her into parallel worlds that grow increasingly disorienting. The studio was so perplexed by Inland Empire that they struggled to market it, eventually settling on the simple tagline: “A woman in trouble.” We have nothing to add—just come and see it for yourself.