When you stage a major event that has strong local cachet, you want to do something that gives something good back to the people of the area, to further bolster that area-flavored cred.
LA Film Fest does the sweet local giveback, each and every year, a nice gesture that makes total sense. For a while just about every town with a screen throws a film festival these days, or so it can seem, the homegrown film festival in the city synonymous with cinema goes the extra mile.
Or should we say "smile"? Well, we just did, and there it shall stay. The smiles come from the fact that the Junetime multi-day movie party always throws a few free screenings into the movie-plentiful mix, with the aim of "bringing the community together," says Stephanie Allain, director of the fest.
In a marriage of a great structure and a great story, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" will unspool at Union Station on Friday, June 12. Our train depot has been in a few movies, but screenings are far rarer. Add to this that the 1988 Bob Hoskins-starrer is set in the era when Union Station was built, and you have a place to match the period.
And its a celebratory 15th anniversary screening for "Love & Basketball," "Gina Prince-Blythewood's ode to romance on the court -- and the competitive efforts to keep romance alive off the hardwood..." Several cast members are set to appear at the Saturday, June 13 screening, including Alfre Woodward and Dennis Haybert. Want to grab a seat at the gratis showing? It's at Figat7th.
Other films on the pay-nothing roster include "American DREAMers," "Bridging the Divide: Tom Bradley and the Politics of Race," and "The LXD: The Uprising Begins."
There are, of course, hundreds of ticketed films, too, to choose among, including, as always, several premieres. For the full rundown of titles, dates, and prices, grab your popcorn bucket and look this way, cineastes.
The Scene
Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.
The LA Film Fest unspools from June 10 through 18.
