Culture news Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg campaign together to save this monument of Hollywood cinema
Cinema is not just images projected on a screen… It is also a meeting place, some of which are now essential. Nolan and Spielberg campaign to save one of them.
Does the “Village Theater” in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles mean anything to you? It is one of the most emblematic cinemas in the city of angels which opened its doors in 1931. A fairly unique place, notably thanks to its architectural prowess, but which almost closed its doors. But that was without counting on the intervention of Jason Reitman, Canadian director to whom we owe 2 episodes of the series The Office and Ghostbusters: Afterlife. When he learned that the Village was on the market, he didn’t sit idly by. “I immediately made an offer and hoped my fellow directors would join me”he says, in a press release shared by The Hollywood Reporter. He doesn’t think he’s saying that well! He was joined by more than thirty filmmakers.
To the rescue of the Village Theater
The list of saviors of Angelin cinema is rather prestigious. We find in particular Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, Guillermo del Toro and James Gunn – who we no longer present -, but also JJ Abrams (Star Wars 7 and 9), Damien Chazelle (LaLaLand), Chris Columbus (Harry Potter 1 and 2 ), Rian Johnson (Star Wars 8), Alejandro González Iñárritu (Revenant), Bradley Cooper (actor, director), Denis Villeneuve (Dune). We could go on like this for a long time. Basically, there are good people there.
These Avengers of cinema intend to “preserve the architectural jewel” that is the Village Theater and create “a cultural monument” dedicated to the experience of the seventh art. The group plans to present many items from its personal collection, such as accessories, wardrobes, but obviously also films, like Chris Columbus’ 16mm films. “Cinema has always been the meeting place for filmmakers and cinephiles, and I am delighted to collaborate (…) on a space which will show what the future of cinematographic exploitation can be,” said Nolan, for example. – in a press release. For his part, Spielberg recalls the sessions he attended at the Village, and is delighted to “be part of this group – who intend to restore Westwood to its glory years”.