David Lynch knew how to make Inland Empire go viral before we even knew what that meant

Although David Lynch is a unique director, the legend filmmaker also realized that the internet would make his films and projects viral. This special feature is a Criterion Collection exclusive. Inland Empire, star Laura Dern sits down with Lynch’s friend and frequent collaborator Kyle MacLachlan to talk about the director’s famous early internet moment that he shared with a cow.

Part of the Awards-Season Campaign Inland EmpireLynch decided to endorse Dern for the Best Actress category, but in an unusual way. Instead of spending millions on traditional advertising campaigns, Lynch sat on the street with a large sign and a cow.

Dern says Lynch claimed that word of his bizarre activity would spread over the internet so people would soon be aware and begin to consider it. Inland EmpireMore than traditional awards campaigns could handle. And while Dern never actually got nominated for the Academy Award, Lynch wasn’t wrong. It was attention-grabbing, and 17 years later it may be even more well known than the movie it promoted.

You are able to get the Criterion Collection version of Inland EmpireThis should be rectified a bit. One reason is: Inland Empire isn’t talked about like Lynch’s most widely seen movies is that it’s been hard to find for the last few years. Because of the format Lynch used to shoot it (a low-resolution Sony handheld camera) remastering the movie for Blu-ray and 4K releases was a complicated chore and one that didn’t happen until last year when a restoration was overseen by Lynch himself.

Criterion Collection’s remastered version of Inland EmpireIt’s available now. It’s available for $27.99 through Criterion, Amazon, and Best Buy.