Renowned director David Lynch has revealed that he is now confined to his home as a result of a recent diagnosis of emphysema, according to an interview with Sight & Sound magazine. The 78-year-old auteur shared that his weakened immune system prevents him from leaving his house, as contracting even a common cold could have severe consequences for his health, particularly due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Lynch, known for his iconic works such as "Mulholland Drive" and "Twin Peaks," expressed his willingness to continue his craft remotely if necessary. Despite his limitations, the director remains open to directing projects from the safety of his home. However, he admitted that he would not prefer this method of directing, stating, "I wouldn't like that so much."

The filmmaker's emphysema diagnosis is a result of years of smoking, leaving him with a condition that significantly restricts his mobility. Lynch disclosed that he can only walk short distances before experiencing difficulty breathing due to lack of oxygen. Emphysema, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030, as noted by the World Health Organization.

Despite the challenges imposed by his health condition, Lynch has actively engaged in various creative endeavors outside of film. He has ventured into painting and music, with his most recent project being the collaboration album "Cellophane Memories" featuring a partially animated music video for the song "Sublime Eternal Love." The album, which also features the talents of "Twin Peaks: The Return" star Chyrstabell, was released on August 2.

During the interview, Lynch also expressed hope for his unproduced screenplay, titled "Antelope Don't Run No More," to eventually make it to the big screen. He acknowledged that the future is uncertain but maintained an optimistic outlook.

In addition to his aspirations as a filmmaker, Lynch has been working on restoring his film catalog for Criterion, emphasizing his belief that as the director, he should be involved in ensuring the technical and artistic aspects of his films are accurate. He has embraced technological advances such as DolbyVision to enhance the visual quality of his works, noting that older standard-definition DVDs no longer meet the desired standards.

Although it seems unlikely that Lynch will return to directing films or TV series given his health restrictions, he recently explored the possibility of entering the world of animation. He collaborated with writer Caroline Thompson, known for her work on "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "The Addams Family," on a project called "Snootworld." Despite pitching the concept to Netflix, Lynch revealed that it was rejected, with the reasoning being a shift in audience preferences towards more surface-level humor rather than traditional fairy tales, making it harder to find support for his vision.

As the acclaimed director faces the challenges imposed by his health and explores alternative creative avenues, his contribution to the world of cinema remains undeniably significant.