Scorsese Finds LACMA’s Closing of Film Program “Profoundly Disheartening”

Published: August 13, 2009

Director Martin Scorsese is urging LACMA to reverse its decision to cancel its weekend film series.

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LOS ANGELES— Film director Martin Scorsese is making clear how he feels about Michael Govan’s decision to close down the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s 40-year-old weekend film festival: He thinks the idea is a poor one.

In an open letter to LACMA and its director, Scorsese has implored the institution to reverse its decision, warning that the cancellation would be “a disservice to cinema, and to the public as well.” He believes that the elimination of the program sends a message that film is not as important as other art mediums, and that it would be “a serious rebuke to film within the context of the art world.”

Govan elected to do away with the program based on declining attendance and revenue loss to the museum, prompting protests by supporters of the offerings. In recent weeks, potential donors have come forward in the hopes of salvaging the series.

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Read the full letter at the Los Angeles Times.

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