Why Kristen Stewart just saved this historic L.A. theater

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Kristen Stewart fears the death of classic Hollywood cinema.As the actor-turned-director drove through the streets of Los Angeles and saw beloved local theaters replaced by major retail chains, she decided to help save theatergoing in the city that started it all.

So she bought a historic movie theater in L.A.Stewart purchased and is restoring the Highland Theatre, a cultural landmark that once hosted vaudeville acts.

“When people are desperate, they start doing desperate things,” Stewart said in an interview with Architectural Digest.“I think buying this theater feels a little desperate in like the most beautiful way.” Movies We’ve mapped out 27 of the best movie theaters in L.A., from the TCL Chinese and the New Beverly to the Alamo Drafthouse and which AMC reigns in Burbank.The theater shut its doors nearly two years ago — less than a week short of its 100th anniversary.

The owner, Dan Akarakian, told The Times in 2024 that the theater was unable to recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic.“Everything that’s already living here is so beautiful.

It just needs to be like taken care of,” Stewart said.“I mean, the place is falling down.

We definitely need like a lot of help, but it’s worth it.” The local film and TV industries in L.A.were struggling long before wildfires that ravaged the city early last year dealt another blow, halting production and threatening the homes of stars and crews alike.

Stewart, who first achieved international success with her role as Bella Swan in the “Twilight” saga, said movie theatergoing is becoming a lost art, as “people are watching movies on their tablets and their TVs and likely watching a couple of things at once.” She and her peers struggled to get movies off the ground.Hollywood Inc.

Highland Theatre, a historic movie theater in Highland Park, has closed after 100 years.The theater st...