Victorian surgeon Frederick Treves meets John Merrick, a man with severe skeletal and soft-tissue deformities who has been forced by society into a life of exploitation in a circus sideshow. As Treves spends more time with him, Merrick reveals his intelligence, gentle spirit, and deep sense of dignity, and the two form a profound friendship. With this poignant second feature, David Lynch applies his atmospheric visual and sonic style to a moving true story, cementing his status as one of American cinema’s most visionary filmmakers and earning multiple major Oscar nominations, including Best Director.

Both screenings include an introduction by film studies lecturer Graham Rinaldi.