By Daily Press staff
A new documentary, “VENICE: LOST AND FOUND,” will air for one week in a Santa Monica theater.
The 58-minute film, which opens Dec. 13, tells the story of California’s most famous surf city through interviews with past and current residents, including actors Dennis Hopper and Gregory Hines, musician Ray Manzarek of the Doors, director Tony Bill, artists Robbie Conal and Billy Al Bengston and Councilwoman Ruth Gallanter.
Venice is home to a colorful cast of characters, actors and activists, body builders and graffiti artists, hippies and the homeless, merchants and musicians, surfers and eccentrics. But Venice is also home to some important moments in history: Charlie Chaplain’s “Little Tramp” came to life during a film shoot in Venice. Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek decided to start a band called “The Doors” in Venice. Andy Warhol had his first LA art show in Venice. Like the city that surrounds it, Venice is far from harmonious. However, in Venice both conflict and creativity seem to spark from a common fire — a passion for diversity and self-expression.
The documentary tells the story of Venice, from the dream of tobacco tycoon Abbott Kinney (who created Venice and her canals to replicate her namesake) to the Beat poets who moved in when Kinney’s dream crumbled, to today’s eclectic mix of rich, poor and everything in between.
A combination of historical photographs, archival and new footage portray the unique history, art, architecture, literature, music, social issues and play that define Venice, the most popular tourist destination in California, second only to Disneyland.
Producer and director, Brad Bemis, a native of Los Angeles, has lived in Venice for the past 11 years.
The film will air at Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex, located at 1332 Second St.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 27, 2002. Read the original PDF.