Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

A documentary on how Los Angeles has been used and depicted in the movies.

Director:

Thom Andersen

Writer:

Thom Andersen (text)

Stars:

Encke King

2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Encke King	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

Of the cities in the world, few are depicted in and mythologized more in film and television than the city of Los Angeles. In this documentary, Thom Andersen examines in detail the ways the city has been depicted, both when it is meant to be anonymous and when itself is the focus. Along the way, he illustrates his concerns of how the real city and its people are misrepresented and distorted through the prism of popular film culture. Furthermore, he also chronicles the real stories of the city's modern history behind the notorious accounts of the great conspiracies that ravaged his city that reveal a more open and yet darker past than the casual viewer would suspect.

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Plot Keywords:

landscape | neorealism | commentary | pop culture | los angeles california | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

To Los Angeles paizei to rolo tou

Filming Locations:

Bradbury Building - 304 S. Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thom Andersen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

169 min

Color:

Black and White Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Features The Music Box (1932)

User Reviews

You have to love Los Angeles

Criticisms are valid, but this film is not entertainment...in the popular sense of movies today. That said, I was riveted for three hours, without an intermission. I just couldn't leave, and risk missing something! I've been secretly admiring Los Angeles for years. I love driving its main boulevards for miles and experiencing the pan-cultural ethic a single street. Western, Sepulveda, Slausen, Sunset, Van Owen. Here is a film that I always wanted to see, and encourages me to see more films about Los Angeles. I've always felt that Los Angeles was a city in its late adolescence/teen age years: pimples, raging hormones, lack of history and eternally looking to the future. Andersons take on the city, it's image in film as a personality, place and thing are very juicy indeed. Best seen at multiple sessions! Can't wait for the DVD.