Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Why these two friends are leading the charge to keep physical media alive
Edwin Gomez (L) and Marina Sakimoto (R), founders of the Physical Media Society
(
Samuel Parker Smith
)
If you’re not ready to fully give in to streaming your movies and TV shows, or maybe you favor personal recommendations over the algorithm, there’s a whole community of likeminded people in Los Angeles.
That includes a couple of friends who are leading the charge to keep physical media alive.
Filmmaker and movie rental store employee Edwin Gomez, 26, remembers when he first realized physical media was a thing. His dad took him to a local video store in Azusa.
“As soon as I saw the store, I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is amazing!’ I still remember the first physical media tape I ever rented and then later bought. It was a movie called Deep Star Six... I rented it soooo many times,” Gomez told LAist.
Support for LAist comes from
Years later he bonded with musician Marina Sakimoto, 32, over their shared love of VHS tapes, DVDs and everything tangible media.
“I think it is just sort of a reaction to the bombarding nature of technology and how kind of intrusive it’s starting to feel... this is a way for people to reclaim a bit of power. Reclaim a bit of choice,” Sakimoto said.
A society is born
About a year ago, she and Gomez founded the Physical Media Society. They host VHS screenings, tape swap markets and more.
“I’ve just really found a lot of camaraderie, a lot of understanding amongst folks who, a lot of the time, feel like misfits or they like strange stuff, weird stuff,” Sakimoto said.
Stuff like obscure horror flicks, B movies... and long forgotten films. Gomez said he feels like it’s their duty to make sure people don’t forget about those rarities.
Support for LAist comes from
“A movie like Race with the Devil,” Gomez said.
But it’s not just esoteric gems that catch his eye. Gomez has a desire to screen a certain shark sequel.
“I’m a big fan of Jaws 2 and I feel like it deserves its day,” he said.
For Sakimoto, the Physical Media Society is about more than nerding out on weird movies and collecting tapes. It’s also about getting people out of the house and finding community.
“The communal experience is really special too when you’re watching a movie together. I think people are just looking for that and it’s really exciting to see,” Sakimoto said.
On Sunday at Gardena Cinema, the Physical Media Society will co-host a double feature of El Mariachi and Desperado on... VHS, of course. And there will be a pre-show VHS swap, too.
The El Mariachi and Desperado double feature will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Gardena Cinema on Crenshaw Boulevard.
Support for LAist comes from
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist