Ambassador story told in new documentary, ‘After68’

| June 26, 2013 | 0 Comments
ambassador 1921

THE AMBASSADOR became one of the most historically significant and iconic U.S. buildings of the 20th century to be destroyed.

A campaign to raise funds for a feature-length documentary is underway. “After68: The Rise and Fall of the Ambassador Hotel” tells the story of the famed site,  said the film’s director and producer Camilo Silva.

In 2005 the landmark hotel on Wilshire Blvd. became one of the most historically significant and iconic U.S. buildings of the 20th century to be destroyed. “By chronicling its rich history and the emotional fight to save it from demolition, we hope to give the Ambassador its rightful place in history… It will challenge audiences to think about historic preservation in new ways and question how actively we value our aging structures from the past,” Silva said.

Filming began during the demolition of the hotel, and includes interviews with celebrities and guests who stayed at the historic site as well as preservationists and tells of its rebirth as a school.

“This moment is very critical for us because as documentarians we risk losing the oral histories that will help bring the Ambassador back to life.” says Silva. There are a still number of pivotal interviews that need to be shot, and the money raised from [the kick start campaign] will go towards production costs and travel expenses associated with filming as well as post-production on the project, including editing, sound design, and music,” Silva said.

Donor rewards include historic neighborhood walking tours, original photograph reprints, historic preservation group memberships and lunch with a 17-year resident of the hotel. The campaign ends Tues., July 23 at 7 pm.  For more information and to pledge support visit – www.after68.com.

 

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