PERHAPS YOU WERE THERE? Venice: Lost and Found


by Maryjane

You may or may not have been there September 13 through 19 to see documentary films presented at the Laemmle Theatres on Second Street in Santa Monica.


The “DOCtober” series was produced by IDA, the International Documentary Association (ph # 213-534-3600), and included at least 21 films. “Venice: Lost and Found” a color 16mm, one-hour length film by Brad Bemis (with Angela Galletta) was one of the projects screened at various schedules in the week. It certainly has the brave attempt of its conceivers and all involved, as do most documentaries.

The film may be effective for those who have not lived here in Venice. It may be effective for the recent decades of biz careerists who keep an abode here and of jet-set resort hangout times, whose fortress/private security and high maintenance modes ensure problems and impossible economic squalor. Then, it would be all about them. Still, it holds some brave attempt.

It seemed full of the biz-hype in its focus of celebrities. The interviews of such are intercut for lengths, but they basically repeat the bit they have to say over and over. The shots of such are, generally, what I term as “ close up of an eyelash,” not my cup of tea. Gregory Hines was my favorite of “celebrities,” speaking unpretentious truth. Yet, it may seem to fit with the other modern modes, so proliferated, as it has tons of split second edits of decades old footage with late 1990s footage. The loud music cuts are smatterings, also, except for the beginning and end. The teeny-tiny cuts of interviews with locals are partial “sound bites” for “color,” overall. Philomene Long and John Thomas were my favorites of these; they are angel poets. I ached for some real focus on Skip and surfers/skaters/skate boarders. The frequent cuts of a few of the many Venice murals were a shame…and there was no inclusion of the mural artists as community people.

Perhaps one issue is that the documentary seems to be groupie adoration of “The DOORS,” specifically Jim Morrison and “appears” to have the backing of Ray Manzarek, DOORS keyboardist.

The film pretends to give an overview of Venice from a century ago. It cannot and does not do so. The editing of oral interviews intercut with visuals of decades purports superficial chronology. Yours truly, and many other senior artists/locals here catch every frame of visual and sound discrepancies. Perhaps t is geared for those of the future, yours truly is clearly no part of; the blast of imposed sensationalism versus the incredible courage, within constant trauma and tribulation of daily people committed to community and to living with harmony in seashore environs, inclusive of the artists and arts.

Venice, like all sacred sanctuaries, has drawn true spirits and all the other sorts not needing to be “named.” She has been, is, and likely will be, for some time: raped, pillaged, tortured, polluted, fortressed-uglied, and killed. A true spirit, this cradle of breeding waters and light, she does not die. Nature, thank all goodness, outlasts each and all. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could all live together manifesting her glorious spirit in all aspects of our frail human condition?

It seems doubtful that any “one” documentary/film/project/play can accomplish the daunting wish to portray an entire area, community, or environment. The “essence” may be the best goal to convey and manifest in our high limitations(?). Essence as “big picture.” Perhaps a compilation of collective projects may tell an overview of such amazing spans. Perhaps it will be Potluck Poetry distilled…as true waters and spirits are.

Maryjane is a Venice filmmaker. Three of her documentary films can be viewed at the Venice library.

Posted: Tue - October 1, 2002 at 05:02 PM          

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