Tonight at REDCAT in downtown Los Angeles:
The World Premiere of CALIFORNIA COMPANY TOWN, a new documentary by Lee Anne Schmitt. Filmed in beautiful 16mm film, TOWN records the present day landscapes of towns throughout the Gold Rush state established by industrial companies. As the company went, so did the town, experiencing huge booms of prosperity in different economic waves of the country. Although the company always ruled – one town made sure it had only one way in and out. When a union protest tried to form, it was blocked outside the city limits. If an employee quit or was fired, they had to move away. Alas, almost all of these companies in the film have moved away or went under, transforming each would-be city into a ghost town. Schmitt does a wonderful job of capturing each location with investigative and nostalgic ways, yet without too much mystery or pity. The beautiful (and scary) buildings and artifacts left behind in each landscape are lost histories for the audience to piece together, made even more timely with today’s financial waves (I make that analogy knowing it’ll work every year somehow). Schmitt’s controlled style and camerawork is solid and intuitive, with narration letting you learn things about each town that you can not see. By capturing this unseen world within one of the richest states – in the world – we learn about some fascinating American landmarks and feel the need to learn more about our own neighborhoods.
Check it out – its not too late:
$9 [students $7]
REDCAT is located at 631 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - at the corner of 2nd and Hope Streets inside the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex. Parking is available in the Walt Disney Concert Hall parking structure and at adjacent lots.
Tickets are $9 for the general public, $7 for students with valid ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 213.237.2800 or at www.redcat.org or in person at the REDCAT Box Office on the corner of 2nd and Hope Streets (30 minutes free parking with validation). Box Office Hours: Tue-Sat | noon–6 pm and two hours prior to curtain
For more information, go to www.redcat.org
The film/video program is curated by Steve Anker and Bérénice Reynaud.
