Rich Hall's California Stars (2014)

• 78%
• 2014
• Documentary
• Chris Cottam

California's first settlements were born of missionary zeal. It promised a haven from marauders and mercenaries. Since then it has tempted us with unlimited gold, boundless harvests, silver screen-stardom, dotcom salvation, and hi-tech silicon marvels. It has always been a place that promises success-if you're youthful or white. And if you're Mexican, it at least promises a decent chance of survival. The Californian dream has always eclipsed its facts or history. Most other US states are named after geographical place-names, Indian tribes or British royalty: eg. New York, Nebraska, Maryland. California was named after Calafia, a mythical Spanish queen, a kind of Spanish Snow White. True reality has never been good enough for Californians. They are always vaguely dissatisfied with themselves, their bodies, their spirituality, their government and their present car. Yet they still believe they shape both American culture and character. And to a large degree, they have. In his unique and sardonic way, Rich takes the viewer on a keenly-eyed journey to the place built on a tectonic fault-line that still deigns to call itself the Land of Dreams.