Лос-Анджелесский кинофестиваль Filmex: История и Значение

the Japanese film festival
The Los Angeles International Film Exposition, also called Filmex, was an annual Los Angeles film festival held in the 1970s and early 1980s. It was the predecessor of the American Film Institute's Los Angeles International Film Festival. After the final Filmex festival in 1983, the founders/organizers of the festival devoted their attentions to developing a new nonprofit cultural organization, the American Cinematheque, which they created to be a permanent year round film festival in Los Angeles.

The First Los Angeles International Film Exposition, a. k. a. Filmex, debuts on November 4, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Gary Essert is Director, and Gary Abrahams, Associate Director, for the 11 day event. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Harold Lloyd Foundation, USC, UCLA, CalArts and the AFI all lend their support to the Festival, which intends to broaden appreciation for the work of "filmmakers from around the world".

Young Winston opens Filmex '72 at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre. A 24 hour Billy Wilder Marathon is held. Myrna Loy appears for a tribute in her honor. The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie closes Filmex '72, and Luis Buñuel attends his first ever public screening of one of his films. Filmex announces it will move to the spring for 1974 in order to generate greater support.

Filmex produces The Movies, a four hour movie scrapbook for ABC to benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Filmex '74 is held March 28 April 9 at the El Capitan Theatre, then called the Hollywood Paramount Theatre. Richard Lester's The Three Musketeers is the Opening Night film, March 28 at the Paramount Theatre. Andy Warhol's Flesh for Frankenstein had its US premiere in 3 D, with an on stage musical introduction by the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo.

Filmex '75 moves to the Plitt Theatres in Century City. The 14 day Festival opens with the premiere of Funny Lady and the Filmex Society Benefit Ball. Rosalind Russell and LA Mayor Tom Bradley opened the event. Those in attendance at the Plitt Century Plaza Theater premiere that evening included Roddy McDowall and Henry Winkler. Barbra Streisand did not attend the event. When Rosalind Russell exited the theater that night with her husband, she was heard to proclaim, "Well, that was fun, wasn't it!" She clearly disliked the movie, but was too much of a lady to say so. Peter Bonerz of The Bob Newhart Show was also present at the event. Yellow roses were in place on all tables during the post screening dinner. Opening night attendees were given a copy of the "Funny Lady" soundtrack, which was the debut release from Arista Records. It was stamped with "For Promotion Only" in gold type. Irene Dunne had a tribute on March 23, hosted by Roddy McDowall. The evening included a screening of her 1939 movie Love Affair. Twenty five nations participate in the Festival, and all five nominees for Best Foreign Language Film are shown. A 50 hour Science Fiction movie marathon is held on March 15–17. The marathon includes the world premiere of A Boy and His Dog which is based on the Harlan Ellison short story. Other movies include: 2001: A Space Odyssey; 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; The Bed Sitting Room; Metropolis; The Mysterious Island; Things to Come; The Day the Earth Stood Still; The Thing from Another World; The War of the Worlds; This Island Earth; Forbidden Planet; La jetée; Invasion of the Body Snatchers; Solaris; 20 Million Miles to Earth; Fahrenheit 451; The Illustrated Man; Je t'aime, je t'aime; Silent Running; Dark Star; Idaho Transfer; Late August at the Hotel Ozone; and many more. The official festival poster features a scene from "The War of the Worlds" showing Los Angeles City Hall about to be destroyed by a Martian spacecraft.

Filmex '81, the 10th anniversary, is held at nine different locations around Hollywood in Los Angeles. A Special Section called "Treasures from AFI" is presented. The "Scared To Death" 50 hour Horror Film Marathon is held. Loretta Young is saluted with a Tribute. The first theatrical retrospective of classic television commercials was compiled by documentary and shorts committees member James Hall for a screening at the Fairfax Theatre. From this program, Hall created three TV "specials" for NBC TV ("Television's Greatest Commercials" 1982 1983). The founders/organizers of Filmex announce the creation of a new organization called The American Cinematheque with the declared aim that it will eventually build on the work of Filmex and provide year round film programming of classic and new films from around the world.

The Loveless, Eating Raoul, The Secret Policeman's Other Ball, Chan Is Missing, Cat People, Das Boot, Diva and Coup de Torchon top the list of films screened at Filmex '82. Natalie Wood is remembered with a Tribute, shortly after her death. Victor Victoria has a splashy premiere.

Several theaters along Wilshire Boulevard are used for Filmex '83. James Mason is honored with a Tribute. Around the World in 80 Days is the final film shown at Filmex. Filmex founders/organizers Gary Essert and Gary Abrahams start the long haul to develop the American Cinematheque into a full time organization that will maintain the Filmex spirit and philosophy and present films in the context of a year round festival.

The American Cinematheque holds a major fund raiser: the American Cinematheque Award honoring Eddie Murphy. The funds raised are applied to enabling the organization to start presenting public programs the following year.

The American Cinematheque presents its first program in Los Angeles with the declared aim that it will continue the work of Filmex in the context of year round film programming of classic and new films from around the world.