Martin Scorsese: An open letter to Michael Govan and LACMA

On July 28, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art announced it would be scrapping its 40-year-old weekend film program, a result of declining audiences and losses of about $1 million over the last decade.  LACMA director Michael Govan said the museum considers this "a pause for re-thinking" while the staff creates a more adventurous program. Since then, several supporters of the program, including a group that calls itself Save Film at LACMA, have spoken out about the decision. LACMA's film program is scheduled to cease after its final offering, "The Classic Films of Alain Resnais," Oct. 2 to 17.

The following is an open letter to Govan and LACMA from film director Martin Scorsese. 

I am deeply disturbed by the recent decision to suspend the majority of film screenings at LACMA. For those of us who love cinema and believe in its value as an art form, this news hits hard.

We all know that the film industry, like many other institutions and industries, has to be radically rebuilt for the future. This is now apparent to everyone. But in the midst of all this change, the value and power of cinema’s past will only increase, and the need to show films as they were intended to be shown will become that much more pressing. So I find it profoundly disheartening to know that a vital outlet for the exhibition of what was once known as “repertory cinema” has been cut off in L.A. of all places, the center of film production and the land of the movie-making itself.

My personal connection to LACMA stretches back almost 40 years to when I lived in L.A.

during the '70s and regularly attended their vibrant film series, programmed by the legendary Ron Haver. It was actually at LACMA, during a 20th Century Fox retrospective, that I first became aware of the issues of color film fading and the urgent need for film preservation. Ian Birnie, a programmer of immaculate taste and knowledge, has continued in the tradition of Ron Haver, who was so well-versed in cinema past and present. I do not understand why this approach to programming needs to be re-thought. I am puzzled by the notion of pegging future film programming to “artist-created films,” as stated in the letter announcing this shift – to do this would be tantamount to downgrading the worth of cinema. Aren’t the best films made by artists in the first place?

Without places like LACMA and other museums, archives, and festivals where people can still see a wide variety of films projected on screen with an audience, what do we lose? We lose what makes the movies so powerful and such a pervasive cultural influence. If this is not valued in Hollywood, what does that say about the future of the art form? Aren’t museums serving a cultural purpose beyond appealing to the largest possible audience? I know that my life and work have been enriched by places like LACMA and MoMA whose public screening programs enabled me to see films that would never have appeared at my local movie theater, and that lose a considerable amount of their power and beauty on smaller screens.

I believe that LACMA is taking an unfortunate course of action. I support the petition that is still circulating, with well over a thousand names at this point, many of them prominent. It comes as no surprise to me that the public is rallying. People from all over the world are speaking out, because they see this action – correctly, I think – as a serious rebuke to film within the context of the art world. The film department is often held at arms’ length at LACMA and other institutions, separate from the fine arts, and this simply should not be. Film departments should be accorded the same respect, and the same amount of financial leeway, as any other department of fine arts. To do otherwise is a disservice to cinema, and to the public as well.

I hope that LACMA will reverse this unfortunate decision.

--Martin Scorsese
New York, N.Y.

Related coverage:

LACMA cancels its weekend film program
Films at LACMA: A thing of the past or the future?
Turan on LACMA plans: 'What are these people drinking?'
LACMA getting an earful about axed film program
LACMA's cruelest cut
LACMA's Govan says donors step forward for film program
Save Film at LACMA, Michael Govan plan to meet

Photo: Director Martin Scorsese. Credit: Andrew Medichini / Associated Press

Comments

[Susana]

Why doesn't Mr. Scorsese make a louder statement by making a financial contribution of cinema is so dear to him?

[Giles]

An open letter to Martin Scorsese:

I quote from the original Los Angeles Times article below on this topic:

Govan (Director of LACMA) said an endowment of about $5 million could generate enough income to support a basic film department.

Mr. Scorsese, don't you have the $5 million?

I didn't see any mention of a contribution to LACMA in your letter. I too am disturbed about the situation but do not have the financial means to do anything about it. You do. Instead of complaining why not do something and save the program with direct contribution.

[BoltBait]

Nice letter, Marty, why don't you put your cash where your mouth is. They are losing money on this project. How about you cover their losses?

[LisaM]

LACMA to Scorsese: "You talkin' to me?"

[mark Shunney]

Maybe Martin should break out his check book! I'm a fine artist living and working in California who gets great inspiration from cinema (Martin's work included) and I feel it should have its balanced place in the institutions of fine art across the country. The only discrepancy I see is the great opportunities that exist for circulating film; opposed to that of sculpture, installation and painting. In the late 20th and early 21st century film makers have made a bundle of money with their creativity around the world. It is time to give back to the public! If you want this stuff to be part of the canon than use your means to create the end game. Other disciplines don't have the amazing spread of exhibition spaces and industry like cinema has movie houses and the industry. Let us be true to the power of expression and spread the funds to create this dynamic balance between cinema and museums.

[Morgan]

Where was Scorcese when the Fox Venice was turned into a discount store in the mid 1980s?

[Ryan]

As a defense of Mr. Scorsese to all these calls for him to open his personal checkbook and fund the LACMA film program, it is important to note that first of all he already donates a significant amount of money to film preservation through the Film Foundation, an organization he founded. So don't go thinking that his call to action is just empty whining. Second, while wealthy professionals should be giving back to the art and community off which they have profited, it is also the state's job to keep culture funded for the betterment of said community. The solution shouldn't always have to rest on the shoulders of private endowment. So maybe we should be looking to change the way public organizations allocate funds for their own programs before stamping our feet and demanding individual citizens to fix the problem.

[Richard Ryan]

It is not one persons obligation to save art. Art belongs to the ages. Mr.Scorsese is making us aware that film is going away.Digital image is comming of age now. As for Mr. Scosese paying for it. He already pays for "films"to be restored/preserved/and stored so that they won't become a lost film. 50% of ALL "films" made before 1950 do not exist anymore because of neglect and poor storage.Pick your favorite movie.Now realize that you or no one else will ever see it again.You decide,is it good or bad?If you want to see "film" as shown through a projector it will soon be no more.I have been working,restoring,and preserving "film" for 35 years.I will soon be out of a job. A dinosaur they call me.Digital image does look good but,it is not "film". I cannot stand in the way of digital image. People should have "film" to look at for its artistic quality.Stop looking at Mr. Scorsese's check book and look at your own. You decide,"film" ,digital image,or both.

[Doug Cummings]

Very well stated, Ryan--Scorsese is well known for his film activism and patronage. But I don't believe this is really a funding (or lack of audience) problem--we're talking about an institution currently in a $450 million transformation. This is a question of priorities. Whether or not someone like Scorsese writes LACMA a check, the bigger problem is that LACMA is going to have to decide to get behind its film program in a way it hasn't done in years.

[Sharron]

I thoroughly agree with Ryan in his defense of Scorsese and his Film Foundation. Maybe if all the members of Screen Actors Guild, Aftra, and Equity could donate a little, like five bucks, or whatever they could afford, though it be small, that would be our way of showing support. How about every member of The Writers and Directors Guild and the Academy doing a little bit. When I first came to Los Angeles in 1980 to 1983, or there about it gave me such joy in a town where I knew no one, and recently having attended every screening of the Japanese Film Classics was immeasureable in my appreciation. Since I have lived here since 1980, I have deeply been grateful for Lacma's film programs. The end of this film program will break my heart.

[Leon Rodriguez]

I live in Austin Texas and we have a essential cinema screening program sponsered by the Austin Film Society. I thank God for them. I am a filmmaker myself and I an teach my kids about the power and majesty of film because of that program. This weekend I will see a large format Ben-Hur print. A proceless gift of an experience. We can't lose that. My heart is with Maestro Sorsese. This exerience is what will launch the next Maestro Martin Scorsese or William Wyler. Please perservere for the sake of the Art Form. It is bigger than what is visible.
Leon Rodriguez Filmmaker
Austin, Texas

[R Ryan]

Morgan ..I was at the Fox Venice Theater in the 70's. I saw "woodstock" there. what a party. then we went to the Alll American steak and Hoggie down the street. What a night. I am not sure THAT is what Mr. Scosese was talking about. But, maybe it was .It was 35mm film.It's the experience of film.

[MaryJ]

Perhaps the new, "diverse" LA demographic doesn't really like either museums or film programs? When you change the people, you change the culture. Since Hollywood has been at the forefront of changing our culture from traditional Anglo-American to the new bright, shiny "multiculturalism," I think it's kind of funny that they are being hoisted on their own petard. Maybe if they dubbed all their film programs in Spanish it would help.

[Hoo Ha]

I admire the principles of the letter that Scorsese wrote, but the letter itself is quite limited. LACMA claims that it has lost over $1 million in the past decade. Scorsese and others are basically asking them to lose another million dollars, which is not pocket change by any means.

Being an Academy Award winner with lots of influence and money, Scorsese should donate to LACMA and ask other prominent people in film to donate if he values LACMA's film program. If they had 1000 people supporting them with an average of $1000 donated, then LACMA's film program can stay alive for another 10 years.

[R R]

Yes MaryJ I agree. Even Laurel and Hardy or Gordo and Flako was in Espanol.Multi cultural is for ALL that enjoy art.So,maybe if the museum stayed open they could show the restored Spanish version.? or German Or French Or Chinese Korean or Japanese or any other language that the historic movies were dubbed in or sub-titled in. That is part of the "art".Most film restorations have a variety of sound tracks or sub-titles for all the countries they are released in.Since you brought up"multiculturalism" why just Spanish? I think Mr. Scosese was trying to get people talking and get them excited about Film. Whatever genre,language,fiction,documentary,fantasy....Film is global.Filmmakers are global. So lets start now and screen a different language film every night.

[Barbara Spielberg]

The weekend film festivals were a wonderful service provided by LACMA and was one of the major reasons for my continued membership. It is sad to think that the museum can't find a way of keeping this glorious offering.

[Margie Schnibbe]

Thank you to Film Forum Los Angeles for sharing these links:

Petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-LACMA-film

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Film-at-LACMA/129340742194?ref=nf__a=1

Blog:
http://www.savefilmatlacma.blogspot.com/

[Justin]

People who say Scorsese should save film at LACMA by throwing more of his money at the problem have an incredible ignorance at how much the man has done for film in LA and throughout the world. He is a tireless contributor and promoter of film preservation and has thrown his full weight behind the UCLA Film Archive (the second largest archive in the world), to give but one example. The man has done way more than his fair share, and is using his name and reputation again for a good cause. Too bad that's not enough for you.

It's an ill-informed response to Scorsese's point.

[Corey Creekmur]

Thanks to Richard Ryan for effectively countering the petty suggestions that Martin Scorsese simply fund the LACMA program himself: he has donated time and a great deal of money for decades to film restoration, and has no reason to prove his commitment. The solution here is not to have one person make this their personal cause -- the city of Los Angeles (where Scorsese of course doesn't live) needs to be the real source of support. Blaming Scorsese when he's gone out of his way to help suggests why public support for the LACMA programs was dwindling in recent years. How many suggesting he pay for the program were regular audience members and donors in the past decade?

[LisaM]

Can't Martin Scorsese just have this guy whacked? Then we could get a real director instead of a pathetic NY wanna-be star.