Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on the Echo Park Lake protests. Also on the show, we discuss the latest COVID-19 headlines; go over the latest movie releases with our KPCC film critics; and more.
Echo Park Lake: Confrontation Between Protestors And LAPD, Several Detained Including Journalists
Protestors clashed with authorities Thursday night after those residing in the Echo Park Lake area and advocates had been resisting a closure and clean-up of the park.
LAPD declared an unlawful assembly as several hundred protesters gathered in the area of Lemoyne and Park Avenue. According to reports, about a dozen people were arrested. Several journalists covering the events were detained. Some background: some unhoused people and advocates had been bracing for the city of Los Angeles to close Echo Park Lake and clear the tent community. Earlier this week, city officials indicated the closure was imminent. Then, as LAPD officers in riot gear were out in force late Wednesday while city workers installed fencing around the 30-acre park, city officials announced encampment residents had until 10:30 p.m. Thursday to leave. Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with reporters about what happened, the handling of the protests and more. Were you at the protests? Have you been sheltering near Echo Park Lake? How has the clearing of the area impacted you? What has been your experience? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
With files from LAist. Read the full story here.
We reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department to invite Chief Moore or another member of the department who could address police handling of protesters and journalists on Thursday night, but as of the airing of this segment they have not responded to our request. We will update this if we receive a timely response. You can read the full statement from LAPD on the detaining of members of the media here.
Guest:
James Queally, LA Times reporter who covers crime and policing in Southern California, he was covering the protests at Echo Park Lake Thursday and was detained by LAPD officers; he tweets
DOC AMA: All Adults In California Will Be Eligible For The Vaccine Starting April 15
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine.
Topics today include:
If you're over 16, you'll be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine starting April 15; those 50+ can sign up April 1
Brazilian coronavirus variant detected in San Diego
LA, Orange counties may move to Orange tier — what will reopen?
‘Variants of concern’ made up majority of L.A. County coronavirus samples tested this past week
California's COVID-19 numbers are low. But hot spots are emerging in other parts of the country
COVID-19 testing is on the decline
Herd immunity is near, despite Fauci’s denial
Pfizer is now testing a COVID-19 pill
Guest:
Shruti Gohil, M.D., professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine
State Of The Arts: As TV, Film Production Ramp Up, What Will Stay And What Will Change On Set
As coronavirus case numbers continue to decline and more Californians receive shots in their arms, like so many other industries, film and television production are starting back up in larger numbers.
In late January, unions representing actors and crewmembers on film and TV sets announced they’d agreed to lift a halt on production, allowing it to resume on February 1. Earlier this month, Film L.A., the organization that oversees and issues filming permits in Los Angeles, reported a 43 percent increase in permits from last month, a sign that we are indeed seeing productions start back up in earnest. But there’s still a long way to go before production slates have returned to normal, and in the meantime employees who worked on film and TV sets pre-pandemic and are now maybe going back to work will likely find that a lot has changed in the way film and TV is shot now.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll conclude our weeklong “State of the Arts” series by taking a look at the state of film and television production, and how it will look as California continues to move down the color tier ladder.
Guests:
Anousha Sakoui, entertainment industry writer for the Los Angeles Times who’s been following this report; she tweets
Dominic Patten, senior editor at Deadline Hollywood where he is a TV critic and covers the business of Hollywood; he tweets @DeadlineDominic
FilmWeek: ‘Tina,’ ‘The Marijuana Conspiracy,’ ‘The Vault’ And More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Wade Major, Claudia Puig, Peter Rainer and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases. Peter also shares some expected highlights of the 36th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which runs March 31 through April 10. Learn more here. Plus the critics reflect on the lives of French Director Bertrand Tavernier and actor George Segal, who both recently died.
"Tina" on HBO and HBO Max on March 28
"The Vault" at Vineland Drive-In (City of Industry), Arena Cinelounge (Hollywood); VOD (including FandangoNow & Google Play)
"Shoplifters Of The World" at Frida Pop-Up Drive-In on Apr. 1 (Santa Ana); VOD (including iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play & VUDU)
"Nobody" in wide release
"Violet Evergarden: The Movie" in wide release
"Six Minutes To Midnight" at Harkins Chino Hills 18; VOD (including Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, iTunes & Google Play)
"The Good Traitor" in Select Theaters (check local listings); VOD (including Google Play, Amazon Prime Video & VUDU)
"Francesco" on Laemmle's Virtual Cinema; Discovery+
"Lamb Of God" at Harkins Chino Hills 18, Century Stadium 25 And XD
"The Prado Museum: A Collection of Wonders" on Laemmle's Virtual Cinema
"Water Lilies of Monet: The Magic of Water and Light" on Laemmle's Virtual Cinema; VOD (including Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play & VUDU)
"Thing Don't Stay Fixed" at the Arena Cinelounge (Hollywood), Vineland Drive-In (City of Industry)
"Pagglait" on Netflix
DURING COVID: Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here.
Guests:
Wade Major, film critic for KPCC and CineGods.com
Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) and senior programmer for the AFI Film Festival; she tweets
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
Director Zack Snyder Talks Making His Long-Awaited Recut Of “Justice League” And The True Inspiration Behind The Film
WarnerMedia Studios released DC’s “Justice League” back in 2017. Avengers Director Joss Whedon stepped in to finish the film after Zack Snyder departed the project. The release immediately spurred a years long social media campaign for the studio to release the film Snyder originally intended on making. The hashtag #ReleaseTheSnyderCut was born and began trending on Twitter. The studio finally answered fans’ calls and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” is now on HBO Max. The four-hour long director's cut significantly expands on the story of superhero Cyborg. KPCC’s John Horn sat down with Snyder to talk about the long-awaited and highly anticipated recut, what made it all possible, who the true inspiration is behind the film and more.
Guest:
Zack Snyder, director of “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” ; he tweets