28 September 2006

"Chinatown" Update

Of course you know that the fantastic film "Chinatown" (1974) is based on a true series of events -- not the detective and the murders; rather, the diversion of waters from the lush Owens Valley.

It's indeed a long, complicated story of deceit, betrayal, engineering marvels, and the needs of the many supposedly outweighing the needs of the few.

The latest chapter is being written as we speak, as you can read in this article in The Los Angeles Times.

I don't know what is more incredible: that the story of "Chinatown" is so amazingly told, or that officials in early 20th Century Los Angeles had the nerve to steal so much water and ruin the lives of so many people.


3 comments:

Matt said...

Chinatown is a fascinating film, and the fact that it was based on true events adds a depth of creepiness.

Greed and corruption, gotta love it.

Anonymous said...

And the BEST 30 seconds of 70's cinema:
ol' Jack slapping whey-faced Faye as she keens, "I'm her sister! Her mother! Her sister! Her mother! I'm her sister AAAAAND her mother....!"

Anonymous said...

And lets not forget one of, if not the, best last lines in cinema history: "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."...one hell of a movie.