David Lynch Keeps Mystery Movie Under Wraps

Visionary director David Lynch (DVDs) - no stranger to the unconventional, it has to be said - has added a touch of surrealism to the browbeating Cannes Film Festival by refusing to tell anyone anything about his new film.

Posters and publicity material for Inland Empire (a rumoured title, coincidentally the same as a little-known 1993 production) are to remain wrapped and covered until the movie receives its premiere.

"It’s about a woman in trouble," Lynch murmured, "and it’s a mystery, and that’s about all I want to say about it."

The stars - normally so quick to leap in front of the nearest press crew and start waffling about how ‘incredible’ everyone was - have also been instructed to keep their self-promoting lips tightly sealed. Jeremy Irons (DVDs) is one of the respected thespians taking part in this vow of silence, as are Lynch favourites Laura Dern (DVDs) and Harry Dean Stanton (DVDs).

For the first time in a while, our breath has become truly baited. Just what peculiar vision has Mr. Lynch seen fit to unleash upon the world this time? Will it scale the magnificent heights of Mulholland Drive (DVD) or most-startling-debut-of-all-time Eraserhead?

Only time - and lucky, lucky Cannes audiences - will tell ….