MAC 249 Los Angeles and Film
It is impossible to talk about the City of Angels without talking about its movie business. The history of American cinema is so intertwined with Los Angeles that the term “Hollywood” is used interchangeably with “American film” worldwide. Through screenings, readings, and discussions, we will look at the history of Los Angeles cinema and the complex relationship that American film has had with its host city. We will look at the mythical allure of the region that enticed film pioneers to leave the East Coast for the land of sunshine, as well as the dark visions of L.A. film noir that challenged this mythology. We will consider the ways that Los Angeles is depicted by native “Angelenos” and by outsiders. This course will also look at the diverse L.A. Rebellion School, the city’s penchant for destroying itself on film, and how the late 70s/early 80s Los Angeles music scene fueled a punk aesthetic in independent films. Lastly, we will explore Los Angeles neo-realist cinema – a cinema of marginalized voices that contrasts sharply with the glittering image of the city in mainstream American film and television.