FEATURES
April 29, 2011
La Vista
13
American Cinematheque offers rare film-viewing experience in L.A. By Allie Rosen Features Editor The American Cinematheque, in conjunction with the Aero and Egyptian theatres, is bringing classic movies back to the big screen for the Los Angeles community. The American Cinematheque, a Los Angeles-based organization, is not only devoted to preserving an appreciation for classic movies, but also to supporting new filmmakers and providing an environment for moviegoers to interact with cinematographers. With different movies playing nearly every night of the week at the Egyptian and Aero theatres, people of all ages come from around Los Angeles to enjoy films ranging from 1950s classics to current independent films. “Our mandate is to provide Los Angeles with rare and unusual film-going opportunities as well as the classics,” American Cinematheque Director of Publicity Margot Gerber said. Gwen Deglise and Grant Moninger, who are responsible for programming for the American
Cinematheque, work to create a show schedule that will please everyone. Their goal is to vary the genres of films they show enough to ensure that there is something everyone will enjoy at least once each month. According to Moninger, when they decide which films to screen and when to show them, they try to create memorials, celebrate anniversaries, or make retrospectives that tie into a new film that an actor or director may have coming out that month. “Sometimes we choose the films, and other times they choose us,” Moninger said. “We have a great reputation and are often contacted when lost films are found or a publicist wants films shown of their client.” The American Cinematheque also frequently invites wellknown actors, directors or other crewmembers from films to speak at the end of their movie. They often talk about their experiences creating the film, answer questions and take photographs with fans. “When I went to see ‘The
Courtesy americancinematheque.com
OLD SCHOOL: The American Cinematheque screens classic movies as well as new ones almost every night of the week at the Egyptian and Aero theatres.
Fighter’ last February at the Aero, actress Amy Adams and director David O. Russell came to talk about the making of the movie and to give some background on the characters,” senior Niki Moshiri said. “It was definitely a more interesting and fulfilling experience than seeing the movie at a regular theatre.” The American Cinematheque screens its movies at both the Egyptian and Aero theatres. The Egyptian Theatre, which is owned and operated by the American Cinematheque, is located in Hollywood and was the home of the first Hollywood movie premiere in 1922. “The city sold the theatre to us in the early 1990s for $1 with the stipulation that we do a complete restoration of the building. $15 million later we re-opened on Dec 4, 1998 after an 18-month renovation period,” Gerber said. Although it has consistently remained a neighborhood theatre rather than a high-profile one, the Aero, located in Santa Monica, was built in 1940 and, according to Gerber, serves as an ideal venue for the American Cinematheque. The organization leases the theatre, which is much smaller than the Egyptian, with a 38-foot by 18-foot screen and roughly 400 seats. “The owner of the Aero wanted to find an operator and he liked the idea of having a historic single screen theatre with specialty film programming for the Montana Avenue neighborhood. We opened there after minor renovations in January of 2005,” Gerber said. According to Gerber, the audience is extremely diverse, with senior citizens looking to see films they recall from their youth as well as young children looking to experience something new. She said that many parents are also introducing their children to the movies of their childhood
Courtesy americancinematheque.com
CLASSIC: Some Costa students are beginning to venture up to the Aero and Egyptian theatres to see movies that are not available at local theatres. and that many high school and college-aged students freqeunt the theatre.
“We have shown films about bands, new films from foreign countries, new prints of older films that have been restored, and of course, premieres.” Margot Gerber Director of Publicity “We have a core group of members, but we get different audiences depending on the program,” Gerber said. “We have shown films about bands, new films from foreign countries, new prints of older films that have been restored, and of course, premieres.” The American Cinematheque offers a student membership, which requires a one-time fee of $55. Members can buy tickets to
shows, many of which are double features, for a reduced price of $7. Without a membership, general admission tickets cost either $11 or $9 with a student I.D. “I’ve been to the Aero and Egpytian theatres a couple of times and am thinking of getting the student membership,” senior Emma Vale said. “It would be great to get the ticket for a cheaper price and to get special offers.” The Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles and the Aero Theatre is located at 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. The schedule is posted online at americancinemathequecalendar.com. The box office opens 90 minutes prior to show time or tickets can be purchased in advance on fandango. com. “I have been to the Aero with my friends a few times and have seen all sorts of movies. I really enjoyed ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and the original version of ‘The Pink Panther’. Moshiri said.
S-Club holds second annual Brain Tumor Awareness Week By Reagan Estes Staff Writer Brain cancer is a disease that kills roughly 13,000 Americans each year and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in children and young adults. To support its cure, the Mira Costa S-Club held its second annual Brain Tumor Awareness Week during the week of April 18. In conjunction with the nonprofit organization We-Can Pediatric Brain Tumor Network and its founder Gigi McMillan, S-Club members senior Logan Griffith and junior Anna Pavlova organized the event. They encouraged students to participate in Brain Tumor Awareness Week as well as become more aware of brain cancer and brain injuries by putting statistics and information in the daily bulletin and selling bracelets. “We want to promote how common brain injuries and brain
cancer can be,” Griffith said. “Brain tumors affect children all over the world and often times are not noticed until the teenage years. Students should understand that it can affect anyone.” All of the money that S-Club raises will benefit brain tumor patients. The money will go to WeCan and to Jack’s Camp, a camp for brain tumor patients. “Everyone will benefit from Brain Tumor Awareness Week,” Griffith said. “The students will benefit personally and the patients will benefit from the money raised.” Throughout the week, S-Club members sold light blue, glow-inthe-dark bracelets for $1 that read “2nd Annual Brain Tumor Awareness Week.” The money from the bracelets helped to fund a bowling party for the brain tumor patients and the excess was donated to Jack’s Camp. “The party is for patients and S-Club girls,” Griffith said. “It is the patients and their families that
will truly benefit. It is a chance for them to come and relax, be themselves, and just have fun.” Aside from Brain Tumor Awareness Week, S-Club has been raising money for and volunteering with We-Can for over 10 years. Members attend Sandwich Nights each month where they interact with patients in addition to making blankets to deliver to patients in the hospital. “We Can offers information and emotional support to families whose children have brain cancer,” McMillan said. In addition to working with We-Can, members participate in many projects sponsored by Soroptimist, make lunches for the homeless, work with senior citizens and collect prom dresses. S-Club is affiliated with an International women’s organization called Soroptimist. “Brain Tumor Awareness Week was a huge success, and we plan to continue it in the future,” vice president Hayden Ozawa said.
Stephanie Sakahara/ La Vista
RAISING AWARENESS: Junior Anna Pavlova (left), one of the event coordinators for BTAW, distributes bracelets to club members that were sold to raise money. Proceeds benefited the We-Can Pediatric Brain Tumor Network.