Did Kristen Stewart Just Buy a Run-Down Movie Theater?
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Los Angeles, Feb 5 (NationPress) Renowned Hollywood actress Kristen Stewart is taking steps to safeguard the cinema experience by acquiring a dilapidated movie theater in Los Angeles.
Stewart expressed her intrigue for abandoned old theaters, stating, "I have a deep curiosity about the secrets they possess." This theater ceased operations in 2024, just shy of celebrating its centennial anniversary.
Originally designed by the architect Lewis Arthur Smith in the 1920s, it first opened its doors for a screening of Lady of the Night on March 2, 1925.
"I had no idea I was seeking a theater until I stumbled upon this one," Stewart shared in a profile with Architectural Digest, as reported by people.com.
She continued, "Once I discovered it, it felt like a starting gun fired, and I raced toward it with all my energy."
The director of The Chronology of Water views this restoration endeavor as "a chance to create a communal space for gathering, brainstorming, and dreaming," she noted.
"Our goal is to make it a family-oriented venue for the community. It’s not merely for elite Hollywood film enthusiasts," she asserted. "I envision it as a remedy to the corporate culture—a venue that offers a different kind of movie experience beyond mere transactions. There is a substantial yearning for what this type of place can provide."
Stewart mentioned that the theater is filled with "a multitude of exquisite details waiting to be revived." She believes there’s potential to rejuvenate the building in a manner that honors its history while introducing something fresh to the neighborhood and the entire Los Angeles film community.
The Oscar nominee isn’t alone in revitalizing cinema in Los Angeles. Quentin Tarantino owns the New Beverly Cinema and the Vista Theatre. A collective of filmmakers, including Jason Reitman, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, and Bradley Cooper, recently acquired the historic Fox Village Theatre located in Westwood.
"I have an immense affection for this city," Stewart remarked about her hometown.
"Los Angeles has a unique blend of neighborhoods that create a sense of unity amid diversity. I appreciate its spaciousness, allowing individuals to decide how they want to engage with it."
The Stewart-directed The Chronology of Water, featuring Imogen Poots, is currently screening in theaters. Among her upcoming projects is The Wrong Girls, directed by her wife, Dylan Meyer, in which Stewart stars and co-wrote the script.