Film options in L.A. and beyond

As a devout cinephile, I enjoyed and appreciated Mark Olsen’s “Consider the Alternatives” (Aug. 28) regarding eclectic film programming in the L.A. area.

I was hoping he might offer some insight on the key reasons for cinema eclecticism in Los Angeles. What does he believe are the most critical factors: the sheer size of the potential audience? The multiculturalism of the area? The influence of the entertainment industry?

Olsen states, “... the growth in attendance points to a growing, or at the very least underserved, audience for specialized films” and “... if you build it, they will come.” This seems to be true in many communities not nearly as large nor impacted by the “biz” as Los Angeles, such as Ann Arbor, Mich.; Austin, Texas; Madison, Wis.; Boston; Minneapolis; Eugene and Portland, Ore., even Wilmington, Del. But why is it not the case in others?

I recently returned from Phoenix (where I’d lived in the mid-’80s). Arts organizations there seem to find the concept of revival-repertory cinema incomprehensible.

Maybe it comes down to the comment by Christian Gaines of the American Film Institute: “... the moviegoer has become more sophisticated because of the increased resources available to them and the increased options of what to see.”

Donna Ross

Hollywood