Few cars can be seen on the streets of Łódź, most of them stuck in huge snowdrifts. Ice-covered roads sparkle in the sun. At 10am, the notary office at Żwirki Street is still empty. Slowly, first journalists and reporters trickle in. Finally, the heroes of the day appear: American director David Lynch, architect and businessman Andrzej Walczak, and director of Camerimage film festival, Marek Żydowicz. They vanish behind the door. Peeping does not make much sense, as glass panes in the door are cut a way which distorts everything inside.
Time passes slowly in the cool air filled with the aura of anxious waiting. At last, the door swings open. There are three men sitting behind a table, smiling. They have just founded a foundation. A forest of microphones springs up in front of them, photo journalists struggle to stand as close as possible.
‘From the very first visit, I fell in love with Łódź, its atmosphere and buildings,’ David Lynch confesses. ‘When I saw Łódź factories, I nearly fainted, so beautiful they were. And the heat and power …
This is how it all began.