Santa Monica Mirror: Mar 15 - Mar 21, 2024

A New Civil Lawsuit Against Roman Polanski Has Moved Forward to Trial

Director Faces Allegations From 1973, Santa Monica Judge Sets Date

A trial date of August 4, 2025, has been set for the civil lawsuit against director Roman Polanski in Santa Monica by Judge H. Jay Ford III, as reported by Variety Magazine. The plaintiff alleges that Polanski raped her in 1973, when she was underage, at his Benedict Canyon residence. According to the lawsuit, the encounter occurred after

she had met him at a party several months prior.

The plaintiff’s lawsuit claims that Polanski invited her to dinner at Le Restaurant on La Brea Avenue, provided shots of tequila, and took her to his home, where she later woke up in his bed. The lawsuit states that Polanski expressed a desire for sexual intercourse, to which the groggy plaintiff refused, saying “No” and pleading with him not to proceed. Despite her objections, the suit alleges that Polanski ignored her pleas and sexually assaulted her before driving her home. According to the lawsuit, as quoted by Variety, the encounter marked the last time she saw the director.

The woman first made the accusation

in August 2017, stating that she was 16 at the time of the sexual assault at a press conference. The plaintiff filed the lawsuit in June 2023 under a California law extending the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse using the name Jane Doe. The director was served with the lawsuit in Paris.

Even though it is unlikely that Polanski will return to the United States, this civil suit can proceed without his presence. The director is also being sued for defamation in France by British actor Charlotte Lewis, who accused Polanski of allegedly assaulting her in 1983 when she was 16. Polanski called Lewis’ accusations a “heinous lie.” and Lewis responded by suing him for those words.

AFM Heads to Las Vegas: Independent Film Market’s Big Move to Palms Casino Resort for 45th Edition

International Film and Television Alliance Announces AFM Will Leave Santa Monica

The American Film Market® (AFM®) is set to move to a new location for its 45th edition. The Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®) and its Board of Directors announced that AFM will now be hosted at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas from November 5 to 10, 2024. AFM has been held in Santa Monica for 33 years, since 1991.

For over four decades, AFM has been a pivotal gathering for independent filmmakers and industry professionals. The IFTA press release said, “This shift to Las Vegas follows a search for the optimal venue to meet the evolving needs of AFM’s Exhibiting Sales Companies and Buyers.”

Clay Epstein, IFTA Chairperson and President of Film Mode Entertainment, explained the decision, stating, “After extensive research, discussions with the Board, and invaluable feedback from stakeholders, this move underscores our determination to evolve AFM to meet today’s industry needs. The Palms enables

us to create a sophisticated platform for all our participants’ activities in one convenient location and beyond.”

Clay Epstein emphasized the industry’s support and excitement for the move to Las Vegas, stating, “This move is generating support and enthusiasm from colleagues around the world, and we are excited to welcome everyone to AFM 2024 in November.”

Key players in production, finance, sales, and distribution, such as Arclight Films, Blue Fox Entertainment, Blacktop International, Cinema Management Group, and more, have already committed to participating in AFM24 at the Palms Casino Resort, showcasing the industry’s anticipation for this monumental shift and the continued significance of AFM to their businesses.

Jean Prewitt, IFTA President & CEO, commented: “AFM was created by the Independents and remains the Independents’ market. The industry has called for a fresh look at how the market can better serve a

rapidly changing business. The Board has made a monumental decision that allows us to better serve these needs. We look forward to introducing everyone to the new AFM venue and its offerings.”

“We’re delighted to extend a warm welcome to the American Film Market,” said Cynthia Kiser Murphey, General Manager of Palms Casino Resort. “Our team members are committed to providing the Palms signature and personalized hospitality to each and every guest. The AFM’s needs and our offerings make for a perfect match, and we look forward to hosting the AFM participants this November.”

As AFM prepares to debut in Las Vegas this Fall, the press release said, that further details will be revealed in the coming weeks and months.

Grief Support Group

A safe space to share your thoughts and feelings with others.

In-person & Zoom Groups; Each group meets twice monthly

Rain-Induced Mudslides Shut Down Key Routes in Malibu and Topanga, Causing Delays

Are you coping with feelings of loss and loneliness while trying to rebuild your life and find new directions? If so, Wise & Healthy Aging offers offer a safe space to help you find the support you need.

Caltrans Warns of Traffic Woes and Full Closures as Rock and Mudslides Hit

By Dolores Quintana

Caltrans District 7 announced via social media that sections of Route 1 (PCH) in Malibu and Route 27 south of Topanga have faced full closures due to mud and rock slides, causing significant disruptions for commuters on Monday morning.

The closures also include the northbound lane on Route 1 in Pacific Palisades, and the duration of the closures remains unknown.

Caltrans advised commuters to anticipate delays and avoid the affected areas.

As of 10:38 AM, Caltrans reported that one southbound lane on Route 1 (PCH) has reopened with alternating traffic from Las Flores Canyon Rd to Tuna Canyon Rd near Big Rock Dr in Malibu. However, travelers should expect up to a one-hour delay due to ongoing efforts to clear the slides.

A final update provided at 7:08 PM on Monday, intended for commuters and traffic on Tuesday, March 12, warns of continued delays and advises motorists to seek alternative routes on Route 1 (PCH) in Malibu, where one lane remains open with alternating traffic. Additionally, Route 27, south of Topanga, is fully closed due to rain-related slides.

Caltrans urged to check for updates on http://QuickMap.dot.ca.gov and exercise caution, watching for workers in the affected areas.

SMPD Arrests Man Who Allegedly Attacked Girlfriend, Brandished Replica Firearm at Her Daughter

The Man Faces Charges of Felony Domestic Violence and Misdemeanor Child Abuse

A suspect is in custody after a domestic violence incident left a woman with severe injuries that required hospitalization.

Derrick Wright, 46, assaulted the victim, then wielded a replica firearm at both the victim and her daughter before fleeing the scene. Santa Monica Police Department detectives located Wright at an address in Long Beach and secured a search and arrest warrant.

On March 7, SMPD SWAT Officers, along with members of the Criminal Investigation Division, Crisis Negotiation Team, Drone, and K9 Officers, apprehended Wright after he absconded from the initial scene and unlawfully entered a neighboring residence in Long Beach.

Wright faces charges of felony domestic

violence with an enhancement for Great Bodily Injury, misdemeanor child abuse for threatening the victim’s daughter with a weapon, and misdemeanor aggravated trespassing during his arrest in Long Beach.

Wright’s booking photo is provided. Notably, Wright has a lengthy criminal record, including a misdemeanor arrest by SMPD in July of 2023 for domestic violence and parole violation.

Anyone with information regarding this individual or incident is urged to contact Detective Holloway at Jacob.Holloway@ santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Goodwin at Chad.Goodwin@santamonica. gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

SMC to Host Free Screening of West Coast Hip Hop Documentary

Free Presentation Includes Audience Q&A with Hip Hop Icons

Santa Monica College (SMC) is set to host a complimentary screening of “N.ot W.ithout A.lonzo” (2024), a documentary chronicling the history of West Coast Hip Hop. The event will feature an engaging audience Q&A session with Alonzo ‘Grandmaster Lonzo’ Williams, Marq ‘Cli-N-Tel’ Hawkins, and Kim Renard ‘Arabian Prince’ Nazel.

The screening will take place on Wednesday, March 27, at 11 a.m. in Malibu 202, situated on the SMC Malibu Campus at 23555 Civic Center Way, Malibu.

“N.ot W.ithout A.lonzo” offers an insider’s perspective on the evolution and impact of West Coast Hip Hop. Executive produced

by Alonzo ‘Grandmaster Lonzo’ Williams, a founding member of the renowned World Class Wreckin’ Cru, the documentary was directed by Timothy Lee Conley. The film features insights from Marq ‘Cli-N-Tel’ Hawkins and Kim Renard ‘Arabian Prince’ Nazel, both instrumental figures in the early days of West Coast electro and founding members of N.W.A.

For additional information, please contact the SMC Office of Public Programs at 310-434-4100.

Can California ARBs Balance Affordable Housing with Community Character in the Face of New Housing Laws?

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

By suggestion, I attended the March 4th ARB (Architectural Review Board) meeting that addressed the Gelson Lincoln Boulevard Project. After the session, I came away with thoughts about the process that the state has initiated and has seemingly tied the hands of our ARB. Particularly the ability to provide professional guidance within the ARB member’s capabilities. This meeting highlighted how California municipalities face a pressing (affordable) housing crisis, and state lawmakers took action to increase housing production, though seemingly not with providing affordability as a guiding light.

These state actions clashed with citizen concerns about preserving design quality, the environment, quality of life, and community character. I want to explore the role of our ARB to navigate this complex network, in light of recent State Senate Bills (SBs) aimed at streamlining development approvals with a focus on objective criteria. We all understand how our city attorney would want to avoid potential lawsuits from developers who may rely on the state’s expedited housing development bill. Such court contests are the last thing the city wants to spend money on. Yet, the leading question becomes, what objective standards, on a city’s record, shall best meet SB330’s need for ‘a preponderance of the evidence’ (sic)?

State legislators passed said bill to streamline approvals by emphasizing that cities comply with applicable, objective general plan and zoning criteria and show clearly defined (measurable) criteria as evidence when reviewing new housing proposals for approval. The bill seeks to remove time-consuming hindrances in a city’s review of housing proposals. Apparently the state felt all city ARBs took too long to approve projects and that subjective opinions and CEQA reviews were the culprit. As such, the state required that city ministerial review processes (aka ‘byright permits’) were to replace existing nonobjective zoning and design guidelines with the requirements in SB330 Housing Crisis Act that include a broad set of objective standards to be used by an agency to regulate development.

For example, the City of Santa Monica has a ministerial review process for all 100% Affordable and Housing Accountability Act compliant projects, and the approach to using SB330 standards has been understandable for simple projects that clearly and easily fit narrow objective criteria. Unfortunately, the missing ‘objective’ for more complex projects is the one needed to solve the ‘affordability crisis.’ Specifically, SB330 seeks to simplify review of complicated issues in requiring all existing zoning and design criteria be applicable as meeting the new required standard within a new timeframe, and if not met, then cities not

approving housing projects are threatened with court penalties by lacking ‘applicable’ zoning and design criteria in place prior to the bill’s passing.

In this way, SB330 raises concerns for complex developments as witnessed by our city’s public audience, many of whom were frustrated that the ARB members were to ignore important topics in reviewing the Gelson project. What may help us all avoid feeling contentious during public presentations may be a redirection for the city’s ARB by starting a conversation with the state on SB330. For example, streamlined ministerial reviews based on pre-set criteria are not going to capture all potential issues in large-scale complex projects; these include traffic, shadow, and visual impacts, as well as interior and exterior user comfort levels. In fact, this list can use reworded language to provide objective and mandatory data for new housing units and site amenities, and thereby be inclusive with new housing bills. As SB330 limits a city’s ability to consider design elements beyond their strictly interpreted ‘substantial evidence’, it also reduces a city’s influence for the overall character of new developments. It is true that the state passed SB330 with an understanding that affordable housing had to be expedited. Yet, while fast approvals are desirable after years of lapsed attention to affordable housing, it is also true that neglecting design quality, livability, and actual affordability is leading to long-term negative consequences at the expense our city’s international reputation for well-built, thriving neighborhoods, beach town influence, and inviting urban core.

The state legislature’s choice to enforce a new definition of objective reviews on affordable housing ignored factors like appropriate natural light, ventilation, noise control, thermal performance, and design harmony, leading to cramped and uncomfortable living spaces, both in the units and within the landscaped site ‘hang-out’ areas. The sole focus on limited functionality can result in bland and unappealing buildings that then decrease property values and disrupt the visual harmony of a neighborhood. It is no coincidence that these are exactly the points raised by ninetyplus public letters to our ARB. To their due diligence credit, the ARB read the letters and thanked the public for their thoughts; to their diligence discredit, the ARB chose not to be bold and embrace the public concerns by simply pointing out or comment on the many planning and design failures, which should at least have been mentioned in the face of the ARBs exempted purview items.

As a path forward, Santa Monica should dialog with the state on the possibility to achieve both faster approvals and good design such that when we recognize a space, we recognize the entire community. That is, the city should begin a SB330 state dialog for these topics:

1. Expand the objective criteria for complex project requirements to include verifiable factors like building scale, compatibility

with surrounding architecture, and user comfort factors by comparing each concern to quantifiable data.

2. Begin a two-step objective process with an initial ministerial review followed by a more comprehensive review, ensuring complex projects have both efficiency and thorough, objective evaluation within the state’s dictated timeline.

3. Incentivize innovative approaches by creating new and well-defined zoning codes exemplifying objective criteria within design standards to guide ministerial reviews while encouraging good design.

4. Find efficient ways to encourage collaboration with public input to foster design, affordability, and streamlining goals, ensuring objectively integrated developments with a neighborhood’s ideals.

This dialog would ensure the role of any ARB is to challenge a balance of approval speed with design quality as crucial for residents when complex projects are proposed in their neighborhoods. By engaging in the review process and advocating for objective language to reveal well-designed developments, our community can play a vital role in shaping neighborhoods in compliance with state housing bills into the future. Despite limitations imposed by recent SBs, the ARB may be able to leverage them as opportunities, thus advocating for the importance of ARB experienced reviewers in complex projects. For instance, by objectively identifying potential issues early during ministerial reviews, ARBs shall be able to prevent costly delays later, leading to future faster project completion.

Santa Monica’s current ARB has several licensed architects (as experienced reviewers) trained to maintain a Standard of Care for their area during project reviews. Together with the City Attorney and Planning Department, the ARB can seek to aid in reducing the risk of lawsuits and liability issues for the city. By incorporating a focus on user comfort and environmental considerations, even within limitations, an ARB can help ensure that newly developed design standards will lead to environments built to connect people with surroundings they live within and with each other, creating a sense of belonging for both the occupants and passersby.

Our ARB can gather objective data on the number of potential negative design issues identified during past and recent reviews. This data can be implemented in future objective reviews, inclusive with our state’s ‘substantial evidence’, which would otherwise not be available for use. Worse yet, negative issues may be noted by the ARB, but since those were not perceived as being required by the state, developers would be allowed to ignore the collected data and contribute to more unsightly, discomforting developments. When properly collected and used, this data can stand to objectively demonstrate the value of our ARBs’ experienced reviewers in preventing problems and delays by having timely procedural reviews.

We are experiencing how recent housing related SBs are presenting challenges, but they also create an opportunity for ARBs to advocate for their crucial role. Clear early communications with developers on new city design standards (which are passed as minimum requirements and not recommendations) can streamline approvals while allowing concerns to be addressed and identified by our experienced reviewers. In effect, this approach would change the burden of proof to the developer. The ARB would emphasize how their role in ensuring verifiable high-quality design standards also mitigates environmental impacts, encourages neighborly interaction with community engagement, while balancing essential goals in delivering effective developments on-time and garnering public support in a win-win collaboration.

In conclusion, California faces a pressing need for affordable housing, but this need must be balanced with the concerns of local residents about preserving design quality, the environment, quality of life, and community character. ARBs can play an important role in this process by helping to properly frame a new city minimum design standard to assist in carefully reviewing housing developments and ensuring that they comply with all applicable state standards. However, ARBs also need to be given the flexibility to use their professional judgment to ensure that new housing developments are compatible with the surrounding community. SB330’s focus on objective criteria is a positive step, but it is important to ensure that these criteria do not prevent ARBs from considering the full range of factors that are important to local residents. The solution is for a city to develop objective criteria that take into account elements of design that protect the character of the surrounding community.

However, if, for varying reasons, our city decides that dialog with the state about expanding objective criteria to improve the ARB involvement is not possible, then perhaps it is best to disband our ARB for residential reviews altogether and pass on to our planning department’s purview the easily followed, state housing bill’s restrictive objective criteria tied to existing city guidelines.

Jack Hillbrand AIA, Architect for SMa.r.t.

Send comments to santamonicasmart@ gmail.com

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission; Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect; Thane Roberts, Architect; Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA, Architect; Samuel Tolkin Architect & Planning Commissioner; Michael Jolly, AIR-CRE; Marie Standing, Resident; Jack Hillbrand AIA, Architect

For previous articles, see www. santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing

Suspect Strikes 6-Year-Old Girl in Santa Monica, Investigation Underway

Detectives Are Actively Locating/ Obtaining Surveillance Footage

By Zach Armstrong

An assault investigation is underway after a man reportedly struck a six-yearold girl over the weekend less than half-amile away from Ocean View Park in Santa Monica.

On Sunday, March 10 at around 7 p.m., a man described as “erratic” sat at a bus stop near the Main Street and Marine Avenue intersection. The child walked northbound on Main along with her parents when the suspect turned around from the bench and struck her. The young victim fell to

the ground but was not seriously injured, according to SMPD. The suspect fled northbound from the scene and out of sight.

The man was described as Black, around 30-35, standing at approximately 6’1”, and wearing a black jacket with blue jeans when the incident took place. At the time of this writing, detectives are actively locating/ obtaining surveillance footage of the incident, Lieutenant Erika R. Aklufi said in an email.

Anyone with video of the incident is asked to contact the police department Watch Commander at 310-458-8427 or Dispatch at 310-458-8491.

MICHELIN Guide Unveils 10 New Culinary Stars in California, Anticipating 2024 Awards

9 Los Angeles Area and Beverly Hills Restaurants Featured as ‘New’ Additions

The prestigious MICHELIN Guide has announced the addition of 10 restaurants to its California selection, with nine establishments gracing Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. These culinary gems are now featured as “New” on guide.michelin.com, providing food enthusiasts the chance to explore new dining experiences ahead of the annual Bib Gourmands and Stars announcement.

Revealing these additions throughout the year, the MICHELIN Guide aims to continuously showcase exceptional restaurants, with the newly added establishments immediately recognized as “Recommended.” There’s anticipation that some of these may go on to earn coveted Bib Gourmand or Star awards at California’s MICHELIN Guide Ceremony in 2024. Gwendal Poullennec, International Director

of the MICHELIN Guides, emphasized the significance of these regular updates and revelations, stating, “By revealing some of the new additions made by our inspectors throughout the year, we enhance our digital tools to further strengthen the ties that bind us to food lovers. We hope that these regular revelations and updates to the selection throughout the year will provide opportunities to highlight the profession and invite everyone to discover and support the restaurants around them.”

In the 2023 selection, the MICHELIN Guide California welcomed ten new Bib Gourmands, four new Green Stars, and six new One Stars. While the complete 2024 selection is yet to be unveiled, Michelin has nine tantalizing spots to keep food enthusiasts intrigued until then.

The Guide’s news entries are the following:

Amour

Cuisine: French Contemporary Indoors or out? It’s the eternal question in Los Angeles, but even more difficult to decide at Amour. Banquettes and booths beckon on the patio, while the dining room, accessed through a library stacked with vintage books, is loaded with charm down to the very last candlestick. Multicourse tasting menus are on offer, or you can order à la carte from a menu that blends French and Asian influences, such as chawanmushi with Perigord truffles and trout roe. New Caledonia blue prawn carpaccio and a French-style omelet with a quenelle of caviar and Comté foam are just two of the well-executed dishes. Wagyu, sided by crispy matchstick potatoes, is given a hint of sweetness courtesy of a swirl of beet puree, while millefeuille with dulce de leche brings it all home.

Funke

Cuisine: Italian

Chef Evan Funke, who also runs Felix and Mother Wolf, is at it again with this eponymous restaurant. Set in a three-story 1930s art deco building, it’s a stunning tribute to Italian cooking, with handmade pasta taking center stage (there’s even a glassed-in room to watch them at work). Tall ceilings, red leather booths, and stone tables with brown leather/suede chairs set a stunning tone for a menu that pulls from their sister restaurants while remaining true to itself. Start with their pillowy focaccia, then savor a plate of tender South Pacific blue prawns in a garlicky salsa verde. Handmade agnolotti is perfectly al dente with a rich and creamy filling of sugo di arrosto, erbette chard, and parmigiano reggiano. Finally, torta di cioccolato is a wonderful finish.

Quarter Sheets Pizza

Cuisine: Pizza

Aaron Lindell and Hannah Ziskin’s Quarter Sheets Pizza has nailed that haute hipster vibe

with its casual styling and vinyl and cassette collection. The word is out on this Echo Park spot, so expect a wait, but one bite of their inch-thick, pan-style pizzas makes it all worth your while. Baked to order, they’re prepared with flavorful sauce and quality ingredients. Pepperoni is a classic choice, or opt for the pimento grove, a vodka-sauced pizza topped with olives, ‘nduja, and cheese. And, while you might not expect to get serious pastries at a pizza shop, don’t leave without trying at least one of Hannah Ziskin’s pastries. There are a few offerings that rotate often, but the signature Princess cake is a staple that’s worth every bite.

Liu’s Cafe

Cuisine: Chinese

Liu’s Cafe is just the sort of casual spot you’ll come to again and again. Arrive early, as seats fill quickly, then order at the wood counter, where you’ll get a sneak peek into the bustling kitchen. You’ll also spy on their selection of pastries, which definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. Order the housemade pork wontons for a tender, tasty treat, and be sure to get the extra egg noodles to soak up that wonderfully kicky chili oil. Braised pork belly rice is another dish of pure comfort, and no matter what you have, everything is complemented by a pot of tea, such as milk oolong. Finally, the pastries grab attention from the very beginning, and closing out with a dessert like the citrus curd tart with shaved fennel salad is everything you want it to be.

Sawa

Cuisine: Japanese

It’s tucked in the basement of an office building in Downtown LA and isn’t easy to find (they even send a video with directions), but this sleek, edomae-style omakase with a sprinkling of seats at the counter is worthy of a visit. The fish is sourced from Japan, and bluefin tuna hails from Mexico and Spain. The cocktail pairing is a nice complement. Nigiri is

left to shine with a stroke of nikiri and simple toppings of yuzu kosho or ginger, but items like the shredded sous vide scallop roll prove that they’re willing to be playful, too. Shrimp cake with panko-battered, deep-fried lotus root is spot on, while minced spearhead squid topped with Hokkaido bafun uni tucked in nori hits all the right notes. Soy sauce cheesecake is a smooth and rich ending.

UKA

Cuisine: Japanese Contemporary

Two chefs (both formerly of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations) and two waiters take great care with the details at this sleek hideaway nestled within Japan House at the Ovation Hollywood. Here, the fish is sourced from Japan and flown in twice weekly, then cured in-house. Bonito is made in-house, and other products are sourced locally for the best quality. It’s all part of the kaiseki dining experience at UKA, where guests are invited to savor six or nine courses. Most of the menu leans traditional, as in the kabutamushi, a dumpling made with shredded turnip and filled with Japanese sea bream, while French influences make their way into dishes like grilled abalone with a butter ponzu sauce and wagyu with a red wine jus and miso butter sauce.

Pollo a la Brasa

Cuisine: Peruvian

Peruvian in Koreatown? You bet, at least at this family-owned and run spot that has been at it for more than thirty years. Expect a casual neighborhood restaurant that’s a touch warm on the inside from the heat of the live-fire cooking. All of the chicken is cooked over a wood fire that you can smell a block away and delivers smoky meat with a crispy skin that’s marinated with their family secret. While there are a few options on the menu, make sure that you order the chicken by itself or choose from their sides, but don’t skip their twice-fried French fries and consider ordering a second

container of their spicy green aji sauce. The wait times can be a bit long, so call ahead for take-out or wait patiently.

Little Fish

Cuisine: American

Once itinerant Anna Sonenshein and Niki Vahle now welcome guests to their Echo Park location, where they share space with a mini market. Come for breakfast or lunch—both are delicious. As their name suggests, the menu is seafood-focused, but steak and vegetarian offerings are also on offer. Mornings are met with items like fish tartines and fish and mushroom congee, while lunch features heartier sandwiches like their signature fried fish. The beer-battered Pacific striped bass is tender and sweet, then topped with American cheese, kewpie mayo, and dill pickles on a potato bun for a midday meal that is as satisfying as they come. Not a fan of fish? The broccoli rabe melt with kabocha squash spread, provolone piuccante cheese, and chili garlic is a standout.

Sushi Sonagi

Cuisine: Japanese

Don’t expect to drop by Sushi Sonagi when the mood strikes, as this eight-seat sushi counter is only open on the weekends and hosts just two seatings nightly. Those who have planned ahead will be rewarded with an enticing multicourse omakase prepared by Chef Daniel Son, a second-generation sushi chef. Chawanmushi, an ankimo tart, and minimally dressed nigiri are all part of the experience, though it’s the dolsot sekogani, or female snow crab stone pot rice, that makes a big impression. Presented to guests in the pot, then heated to produce a crispy crust, it’s then portioned to eager diners who delight in the richly seasoned meat. End with a charcoalroasted sweet potato topped with house-made white sesame ice cream.

Director Rose Glass Dives Deep into “Love Lies Bleeding” - A Queer Crime Thriller with Heart Discover the Secrets Behind the Making of This Magical and

Intense Lesbian

Romance

For the release of LOVE LIES BLEEDING, the queer crime thriller from director Rose Glass, I spoke with the director and co-screenwriter about the film, how it differs from her first feature film, Saint Maud, and all about making one of the most heartfelt lesbian romances with equal doses of magic and violence.

During the conversation, the topic of the film’s title came up and Glass said that there was a plant, an Amaranth, that is called Love Lies Bleeding. The reason that the Amaranth caudatus has that name is because “During the Victorian era, specific flowers had different meanings. Love-lies-bleeding stood for hopeless love or hopelessness in the Victorian language of flowers.”

The film stars Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Jena Malone, and Anna Baryshnikov and opens in limited release today in theaters in Los Angeles and New York. Later, on Friday, March 15, it will be screened nationwide.

Dolores Quintana: Saint Maud is an internal horror story with strong religious aspects, while Love Lies Bleeding is much more external and open. It has a sun-blasted aura that is different from the interior darkness of Maud. Did you feel that there was a difference? That one film was much more internal than external.

Rose Glass: I feel that there’s definitely

quite a lot of connective tissue between the two films, I think of Maud, Jackie, and Lou as sort of spiritual sisters in some way. They will try to transform themselves in some way. You don’t really think of it so consciously when you’re making it, but certainly, now I’m on the other side of it and talking to people about the film a lot, I feel like, yeah, the energy of this one was a lot more outward. Like you said.

I think I was riding a new wave of confidence and sort of fearlessness that I’d never really felt before after making St. Maud, which was a joyful and wonderful thing to make. The reaction I got was very strange and exciting. My whole life up until that point, it felt like this very scary, uncertain thing when you want to make a film. So few people actually get to make a feature film. It was always such an uncertain thing. I think I was writing Saint Maud for a prolonged period where I was probably feeling a lot more insecure, maybe insular and low, I guess.

Whereas this one, writing it and cowriting as well. Suddenly, I’ve got people saying, What do you want to make, instead of me saying, please let me make a film. So I wanted to try and ride that momentum and make the most of the opportunity of getting to do it again, on a grander scale. Try and take some big swings and see what I could get away with. I just enjoy it. I loved writing this one particularly; it was a very, it was a really joyful, exciting process. Hopefully, that translates into the screen.

Dolores Quintana: Actually, I interviewed Katy O’Brian about an hour and a half ago. One of the things that I said to her is that there’s just such a joy within the film. It’s two very flawed people, but to me, they seem flawed in a way that is complementary to each other.

Rose Glass: They’re sort of complementary to each other in probably all the most irresponsible and ill-advised but the most wonderful feeling ways.

Dolores Quintana: That’s the thing about love, and I noticed it with Anna Baryshnikov. Her character loves Lou. It’s that mystery of love, which is partially chemical in our brains and bodies, but either you love someone or you don’t.

Rose Glass: You sort of decide to as well. I think that love gets oversimplified in films particularly. Just the idea of romantic love being like the ultimate aspiration and thing that’s going to make you whole and make everything good and wonderful, and it is as

simple as that. On some levels, I agree with that. Obviously, it’s a great force for good primarily, but equally, I also think it can be used as the fuel or the engine to get you wherever you want to go anyway.

Whatever’s going on in you, whether that be good or bad, probably is going to be made more concentrated throughout. I think it’s an engine that won’t necessarily bring out the most wonderful, selfless version of you. In fact, it can sometimes be a good way or a good ingredient for telling yourself whatever story you want to about yourself or the other person.

Dolores Quintana: It’s really got such a fearlessness about it. Aside from the joy of telling a queer love story, it doesn’t justify anything; it just is. It’s got a wonderfully grim sense of humor sometimes about what’s going on. I was wondering how you decided that this was the story you wanted to tell.

Rose Glass: I don’t know. It’s just such a sort of gradually shifting, unfolding thing. So much of it’s just me and Weronika Tofilska, my co-writer, literally just sitting there and saying, “Well, what about if this happened?” and then we map it out over many months. I guess we constantly kept coming back to the question: is this interesting? Does this excite me? Then we try to make it the most entertaining thing that we can think of for each other. I don’t know.

Dolores Quintana: Then you made it for yourselves.

Rose Glass: Yeah. Selfishly, it’s kind of a love letter to humanity’s weaker, baser instincts. Maybe. But hopefully. It’s kind of like we think humans are terrible. All humans have the credentials to be terrible, but we’re also wonderful. We embrace the terribleness—some sort of love letter to it, I guess.

Dolores Quintana: There’s always going to be things about ourselves that are not perfect and with some people, there’s going to be things that are just downright bad. I think, in a lot of ways, in particular with Jackie is probably not something that she asked for.

Rose Glass: The murder?

Dolores Quintana: Her rage.

Rose Glass: Yeah. Yeah.

Dolores Quintana: I don’t know for sure, but it just seems something she didn’t bring on herself and the anger within Lou, from how she was brought up. But it is something that they really have in common. They are one of those things that are not really under your control. It’s not something that you’re doing to be a bad person. But you have to find a way to live anyway.

Rose Glass: I doubt many people ever think that the bad guy is doing something terrible, and everyone has their own vague, good, probably deep, profound reasons for doing something.

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)

CASE NUMBER: (Número del Caso): 23SMCV01699

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): STELLA STEFANCHUK

YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE):

Caitlin Carmichael

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit pgroups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decider en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presenter una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia de demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en format legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es possible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayude de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar le cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corteque le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros reuisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatemente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisites para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados lacales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): Los Angeles 1725 Main St. Santa Monica, Ca. 90401, Santa Monica Courthouse

The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tíene abogado, es):

Joshua J. Zokaeem, Esq. SBN: 29938B

The Capital Law Firm

11111 Santa Monica Blvd. Ste. 100, Los Angeles, Ca. 90025

DATE (fecha): 04/20/2023 David W. Slayton, clerk of the court clerk, by (Secretario) M. Gomez, Deputy (Adjunto)

Published: 01/12, 01/19, 01/26, and 02/2/2024

Dolores Quintana: I don’t think people really think about it. A lot of times, they just react and you know, it’s very true. No one likes to think that they’re that bad person.

Rose Glass: Yeah.

Dolores Quintana: The film is very profound because it takes such a loving look at flawed people.

Rose Glass: Thank you.

Dolores Quintana: It was really meaningful to me. Because…sorry.

Rose Glass: Thank you.

Dolores Quintana: There is all that joy. But there’s also room for people who are not perfect, and I think that it’s beautiful. It’s also incredibly funny. I have to say there is a revenge aspect to it, no spoilers, but that one particular death. I think you know which one I’m talking about: the one that involves the furniture?

Rose Glass: Yes. (chuckles)

Dolores Quintana: You looked at it with the camera and then brought the camera back, and there was the revenge aspect of seeing somebody who is truly an evil

person finally get what they deserve.

Rose Glass: Yeah, and you want to share in a moment of righteous rage. Yes, those kinds of feelings are valid and human. Ultimately, once you get perspective, of course, it’s terrible that she did that as well. But you know, all these things can be true.

Dolores Quintana: I wanted to ask you because it occurred to me while watching the film the second time that the title might not be a phrase but three separate words. Love. Lies. Bleeding.

Rose Glass: Yeah, absolutely. That was what I kind of liked about it. I think now we’ve actually started getting through the titles that the movie will get in every country; sometimes, they change the title a little bit. There are definitely a couple of countries that are just calling it Love Lies Blood. But it’s also the name of a plant. It’s an amaranth that has these big red seed cases, which are kind of beautiful, kind of ugly, and melodramatic.

CASE NUMBER: (Número del Caso): 23SMCV01699

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): STELLA STEFANCHUK

YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE):

Caitlin Carmichael

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service.

If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit pgroups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decider en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presenter una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia de demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en format legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es possible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayude de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar le cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corteque le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros reuisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatemente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisites para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados lacales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes

Photo by Ed Gandara