Los Angeles Plays Itself

Jan 1 2004 Not Rated 2h 49m
Documentary, History

From its distinctive neighborhoods to its architectural homes, Los Angeles has been the backdrop to countless movies. In this dazzling work, Andersen takes viewers on a whirlwind tour through the metropolis' real and cinematic history, investigating the myriad stories and legends that have come to define it, and meticulously, judiciously revealing the real city that lives beneath.

Plot

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.

Written by

Thom Andersen

Directed by

Thom Andersen

Production Countries

United States of America

Languages

English

Awards

3 wins & 1 nomination

Scores
# of Votes
3,102
Average Rating
7.8 out of 10
Metascore
86
Popularity
NA