Thom Andersen's LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF

7th House at the Philosophical Research Society and Los Angeles Filmforum present

Thom Andersen's LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF – Thom Andersen in Person!

Sunday June 22, 2025, 6:00pm
At the Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90027

NOTE THE EARLY START TIME

Please email events@prs.org or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions

Perhaps the most essential exploration of our city's mythos, examining the tangled relationship between the movies and their fabled hometown.

Tickets: Ticket Price: $12 + fees (In-Person Only Event) ($14.64 total); Free to Los Angeles Filmforum members

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thom-andersens-los-angeles-plays-itself-thom-andersen-in-person-tickets-1377039414959

"The best documentary ever made about Los Angeles." —Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

"Los Angeles may be the most photographed city in the world, but it may never have been captured with such complex layers of meaning and fascination as in Thom Andersen's remarkable Los Angeles Plays Itself. The wealth of film clips will make cinephiles feel they've gone to heaven." —Robert Koehler, Variety

"Absorbing and revelatory, this is film criticism of the highest order." —Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

"A manifesto as well as a monument…an essay in film form with near-universal interest and a remarkable degree of synthesis." —J Hoberman, Village Voice

"A veritably encyclopedic tract, it grapples with subsidiary subjects as diverse as the reverberations of the Watts uprising, fake movie phone numbers, and, in one of the more memorable passages, Hollywood's sustained ideological war against the reputation of modernist architecture…As criticism, the film is perceptive, persuasive, even educational. As cinema, it's something more: one of the great films of the century to date, poignant and affecting." —Calum Marsh, Village Voice

As part of YesterdayLA (apologies for the use of "LA", Thom!), the Philosophical Research Society’s monthlong exploration of Los Angeles history, Los Angeles Filmforum and 7th House are proud to present one of the greatest films — documentary or non — about our so-called "City of Dreams", Thom Andersen's monumental masterpiece LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF (2003-2014), with the director joining us in person!

Perhaps the most essential and indispensable exploration of Los Angeles’ mythos (and aggrandizing fictions), Thom Andersen's landmark documentary Los Angeles Plays Itself explores the tangled relationship between the movies and their fabled hometown - as seen entirely though the films themselves.

From its distinctive neighborhoods to its striking 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, spanning nearly 100 years, from the silent era to modern times. Like a detective in pursuit of an elusive adversary, Andersen investigates the myriad stories and legends that have come to define this ‘dream factory.' With extensive research, and an abundance of clips, anecdotes and analysis, he adroitly peels back layers of fiction to reveal the real city and the actual lives of its denizens beneath the glaring lights.

Newly remastered, Los Angeles Plays Itself is an extraordinary cinematic achievement, a documentary unlike any that has come before or since.

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ACCESSIBILITY

PRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to events@prs.org before showtime and we will be happy to assist you.

REFUND POLICIES

All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges for PRS events, except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test.  In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event.

PARKING

Limited parking is available onsite at PRS in both the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east) and back lot (entry from first alley way, off Griffith Park Blvd. from intersection with Los Feliz Blvd.), as well as street parking on Griffith Park Blvd. and (after 7 PM) on Los Feliz Blvd. We encourage attendees to consider carpooling, walking or biking to events if possible, and please be considerate of our Los Feliz neighbors when parking, many thanks.

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Los Angeles Filmforum screenings are supported by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture, the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.  This activity is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.  We also depend on our members, ticket buyers, and individual donors.