Not All Who Wander Are Lost is a film season that will take you from the bustling winter streets of Tokyo to the desolate deserts of Texas, the gothic alleys of Vienna, and the twisted roads of Hollywood.
Programmed as part of Storyhouse Gems — an ongoing season of films curated by members of the Storyhouse Cinema Team — this season’s hand-picked collection explores the lost souls of cinema and the worlds they inhabit. These films follow characters searching for meaning in both the world around them and within themselves, capturing the beauty, sadness, and full range of emotions that come with feeling lost.
This season features a cult classic from the late, great David Lynch, a BAFTA-winning 1980s masterpiece from Wim Wenders, a deeply-moving Japanese classic by Akira Kurosawa, and a beloved American indie gem from Richard Linklater.
Join us for four unforgettable cinematic journeys as we wander across three continents, exploring one universal feeling.
Mulholland Drive (2001). Directed by David Lynch. Park Circus.
Voted the Greatest Film of the 21st Century (so far) by the BBC and often regarded as one of the greatest cult films of all time, Mulholland Drive is as much an experience as it is a film.
Directed by the legendary David Lynch (Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet), the film follows Diane (Naomi Watts), an aspiring actress who arrives in Hollywood full of dreams and ambition. Upon arrival in the City of Angels, she meets Rita (Laura Harring), a mysterious woman suffering from amnesia. What begins as a film about dreams soon transforms into a nightmare.
Mullholland Drive will take you into the twisted side of Hollywood in true Lynchian style. A mesmerizing puzzle that reveals more with each return visit, the film has sparked endless conversation about its meaning and remains a must-watch for fans of Lynch and experiential cinema.
Ikiru (1952) Directed by Akira Kurosawa.
Ikiru, or as it is translated: “to live“, is one of the most critically acclaimed films in the history of Japanese cinema. Directed by Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samuari, Rashomon), a filmmaker known for epic scopes and legendary samurai films, Kurosawa tones it down in Ikiru, creating one of his most human and celebrated works.
The film follows the story of Kanji Watanabe (Takashi Shimura), a bureaucrat who has worked the same endless job his entire life. One day, his world is rocked when he learns that he only has six months left to live. Faced with his own mortality, Kanji is forced to confront the emptiness of his life.
Taking us on an emotional journey, Ikiru follows Watanabe as he tries to find purpose and meaning in his final days. Exploring themes of legacy and morality, its message – to live life to its fullest – is one that everyone can resonate with.
A must-watch for fans of Japanese cinema, Ikiru will make you cry one minute and smile the next.
Before Sunrise (1995) Directed by Richard Linklater. Park Circus.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Before Sunrise marks the beginning of one of cinema’s most beloved trilogies from writer-director Richard Linklater (Boyhood, School of Rock). Romance blossoms between two strangers when French university student Céline (Julie Delpy) and aspiring American writer Jesse (Ethan Hawke) have a chance encounter on a train from Budapest to Paris. Sparks fly, and conversations run deep as they embark on an impulsive day wandering the streets of Vienna. A day that will change their lives forever.
Before Sunrise is a testament to the power of conversation: a love letter to wandering, soul-searching, and the beauty of falling in love. Thirty years on, Linklater’s classic remains a favourite among cinema-goers and is often considered one of the greatest love stories ever told on screen.
Paris, Texas (1984) Directed by Wim Wenders. Curzon Film.
The unanimous winner of the 1984 Palme d’Or, Paris, Texas is directed by Wim Wenders (2024’s Perfect Days) and written by playwright Sam Shepard. The film follows loner Travis (Harry Dean Stanton), who has wandered the desert for four years, unsure who he even is. Eventually reunited with his brother (Dean Stockwell), he searches for his estranged wife and son.
Paris, Texas takes us on a journey across the vast landscapes of the Southern United States, from the soulless deserts to the endless American highways. A haunting road trip that tackles themes of isolation, identity, and the death of the American Dream, the film is a marvel of cinematography, and America has never looked greater than through the lens of Robby Müller.
A true work of art, Paris, Texas is made to be experienced on the big screen.
If you’re ready to get lost in some unforgettable cinematic journeys and to wander in four new destinations, this season will take you on an emotional adventure like no other…