Cineastes Unite: Save Film at LACMA!

Posted on Aug 13, 2009

It’s looking more and more likely that the much-deserved outrage raining down upon LACMA’s Michael Govan for his decision to shut down the museum’s film program may result in its rebirth.

That’s my optimistic take on this controversy at this moment–and my fervent hope. 

Between Martin Scorsese’s pointed editorial in today’s Los Angeles Times and the new and growing by the minute Facebook group, “Save Film at LACMA,” the pressure may just be enough for Govan to reconsider his incredibly shortsighted decision.

Up until this point, I have been a fan of his leadership of the museum.  But perhaps even after several years in Los Angeles he does not fully realize how — and I mean this in a good way – insidious the film business is to this town and its history.  Moviemaking is the lifeblood of Los Angeles, as intrinsic to its DNA as automaking is to Detroit or Microsoft is to Seattle.

Granted, there are many other film programs around the city.  But many of them require guild or professional memberships or enrollment in a class. LACMA’s was the most eclectic of the bunch, and the most accessible for many people.

I have fond memories of attending an anniversary screening of one of the greatest films of all time, “Chinatown,” and getting the insight from writer Robert Towne, who spoke after the screening to the sold out crowd. He talked about the alternative ending for the film that he had written– and answered questions on many other facets of this landmark piece of cinema.  This is only one of the many enlightening and worthwhile film experiences at the museum’s theater.

My only complaint before this scandal over the film program’s cancellation is–and has always been–how horrendously uncomfortable the seats are.

Scorsese’s plea will probably serve to open the floodgates to other esteemed filmmakers, actors and executives to keep the LACMA box office open.  But since the stated reason was that LACMA had lost about $1 million on the program, I’d like to see some of these people opening up their pocketbooks as well.