In perhaps one of the best feel-good stories in Hollywood this year, a coalition of 36 filmmakers have invested in a coalition to save Los Angeles’ fabled Westwood Village Theater. Organized by Jason Reitman, the group will book first-run features and repertory programming from the theater’s directors/caretakers.
The coalition of filmmaker/investors includes JJ Abrams, Judd Apatow, Damien Chazelle, Chris Columbus, Ryan Coogler, Bradley Cooper, Alfonso Cuarón, Jonathan Dayton, Guillermo del Toro, Valerie Faris, Hannah Fidell, Alejandro González Iñárritu, James Gunn, Sian Heder, Rian Johnson, Gil Kenan, Karyn Kusama, Justin Lin, Phil Lord, David Lowery, Christopher McQuarrie, Chris Miller, Christopher Nolan, Alexander Payne, Todd Phillips, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Reitman, Jay Roach, Seth Rogen, Emma Seligman, Brad Silberling, Steven Spielberg, Emma Thomas, Denis Villeneuve, Lulu Wang, and Chloé Zhao.
In a statement, Reitman remarked, “I’ve been coming to Westwood for as long as I can remember. Many of my movies, including ‘Juno, ‘Up in the Air,’ and ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife‘ all premiered at the corner of Broxton and Weyburn. When the Village Theater went on the market, I had visions of how quickly the National Theater became a block of condos. I immediately made an offer and hoped my fellow directors would join me on this adventure. We take this stewardship very seriously and hope to offer a true community for anyone who loves the movies.”
As you’d expect, the theater will continue to show 70mm, 35mm and digital projection. According to a release, the coalition intends to “harness their collective experience to influence every detail of presentation from the picture and sound to the lighting, theater programming, and experience in the lobby galleries.”
Del Toro describes the vision as “a way to ensure perfect screening conditions but also a place where filmmakers and cinephiles and future filmmakers can gather to celebrate and discuss the art and the craft collectively.“
Nolan noted, “Cinema has always been the place where filmmakers and moviegoers meet, and I’m thrilled to be collaborating with so many of my favorite directors on a space that will show what the future of film exhibition can be.”
Villeneuve adds, “I’ve been advocating for the in-theater experience for years. Thank you to Jason for this fantastic opportunity, allowing me to put money where my mouth is.”
This is not the first historic theater to be taken over by filmmakers since the pandemic. Quentin Tarantino, who already runs the repertory Beverly Theater, acquired the Vista in Los Feliz last year. It reopened this past December and has played first-run features such as “The Zone of Interest” and has already booked “Dune: Part Two.” Vidiots, which used to be a landmark on the west side, recently opened a new facility and theater in the popping Highland Park neighborhood south of Pasadena. Films such as “All of Us Strangers” have held premieres there.
On the trend, Rian Johnson said, “All across LA we’re seeing neighborhoods embrace theaters that offer fresh programming, real personality and a sense of community. That’s where the moviegoing experience is flourishing. I’m so excited to be a part of this, with Jason and this incredible group of filmmaker friends.”
Lulu Wang added, “There’s nothing like watching movies in a theater, and I’m very excited to celebrate with this group of incredible directors who love cinema and the community it can provide.”
And from Christopher McQuarrie, “The audience is everything. They deserve to be reminded of that every time they grace us with their presence.”
The Village is right next to the UCLA campus and many of the investors are alumni of the film school including Prince-Bythewood, Dayton, Faris, Silberling, and Payne. That quartet jointly remarked, ““As a UCLA film school grad and working director, I am overjoyed to be a part of restoring the Westwood Village, one of the most historic movie palaces in the world. Like my partners, I’ll be programming and introducing movies in what will be LA’s — and the country’s — finest venue.”
Another UCLA grad, Lin, said, ““Growing up in Los Angeles, the Westwood Village was a second home. A place where anything was possible. When I was at UCLA, the Village represented all my filmmaking dreams. Now I have a key to the door.”
Spielberg added, “I have so many vivid memories of seeing films at the Village Theater and I am excited to be part of this group that is intent on restoring Westwood to its glory years as a film-going cultural institution.”
Damien Chazelle remarked, “It’s an honor to be able to join with so many of my favorite working filmmakers to help give a new lease on life to a legendary theater. I remember when Jason first pitched me the idea last year and I’m just so thrilled to see it coming to fruition. Long live cinema!”
Sian Heder added, “It’s thrilling to be a part of this venture with so many of my filmmaking heroes. And to create a place that is celebrating both movies and community. This group of artists might be the most badass cinematic gang ever assembled.”
Says Columbus, who will be showcasing his collection of 16 mm prints, “It’s a true cinematic miracle, bringing together so many brilliant filmmakers to resurrect the Village Theater in Westwood. It will be a movie lover’s dream, a place to screen new films and classics, both digitally and on 35mm and 16mm. I am honored to be a founding member.”
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller shared, “This is personal for us. We, like so many others, grew up going to theaters that had a voice and personality. Places not just where you see a movie, but experience it. Where fellow film lovers gather to watch discuss and learn from one another. We hope that, for years to come, this will be a home for movies, and a place where the audience feels at home too.”
The theater will remain open while plans for a restaurant, bar, and gallery are finalized (which will make it easier for premieres). The Westside Purple Line extension will arrive in Westwood in 2027. The Olympic Village for the LA28 Olympic Games will also be located in Westwood. In 2031, the Village Theater will celebrate a hundred years in operation.
Next up on LA cinephile’s radar is the fate of the former Arclight Cinemas and Cineramadome venue which has been closed since the pandemic began in March 2020. The holding company for that facility is going through bankruptcy proceedings with rumors for a return in 2025.
