September 14, 2008
Los Angeles Plays Itself
Last night at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, I had the pleasure to see this seldom-screened 2003 documentary.
A fantastic sprawling exploration of the real Los Angeles through clips from 191 films that are set here, filled with remarkable commentary. The three hour film brings up fascinating food for thought at every turn, from the portrayal of police, history, race, and false beliefs about a city that director Thom Andersen has loved for decades. Andersen made the film to show the differences between what Los Angeles really is, and how the movies portray it. As a native, it was hilarious at times, and wonderful to see the city through the eyes of countless other directors, unintentionally and intentionally documenting a city that so few people ever really see for what it is, how it is.
As a lover of, and Los Angeles apologist, it was luxurious to slip into the endless montage of Los Angeles films, sinking deeper and deeper into that love. The longer I live here, the more I see, the more I don’t know if I could ever leave for longer than a year or two. This is one of my new favourite movies.
If you ever get a chance to see this, jump on it. Here is a good essay on the film as well as the imdb.com entry:
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Oh, yes. Must see this. And must get back out to LA again. Real soon. Hope you’ll still be there. Thank you, Amanda Mae.
I will be here. Unless I’m in iceland. And there is an open invitation for anyone to visit and hang out, and go on a special Los Angeles tour with me.