Los Angeles Plays Itself
1328 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
USA
Los Angeles Plays Itself
Thom Andersen, Los Angeles Plays Itself, 2003, 170 min
Thom Andersen will sign copies of his book Slow Writing: Thom Andersen on Cinema in the theatre lobby from 6:30 p.m., and will participate in a discussion after the screening.
Los Angeles Plays Itself
Southern California practically bleeds celluloid; virtually everywhere you turn, you’ll see a location that has doubled as a film set. Director Thom Andersen plays private eye in this sardonic video essay, revisiting the scenes of cinematic crimes and triumphs and unraveling the tangled relationship between the movies and our metropolis. Both Los Angeles history buffs and cinema enthusiasts will marvel at the hundreds of archival and film clips revealing an almost secret history of the City of Angels. A Cinematheque favorite!
In the Los Angeles Times, Kenneth Turan called Los Angeles Plays Itself “the best documentary ever made about Los Angeles.” On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Thom Andersen’s sardonic video essay about the tangled relationship between the movies and our metropolis was remastered and re-edited. It’s funnier, sharper and bigger, and it’s now really a double feature. No matter how many times you’ve seen it before, you will be blown away by the new version on the big screen!
Book signing hosted by legendary Hollywood emporium Larry Edmunds Bookshop, with thanks to Jeff Mantor. Slow Writing: Thom Andersen on Cinema will be available at their store following this screening. Big thanks also to Lacy Soto at Artbook LA.