Twilight, Los Angeles Study Guide

Anna Deavere Smith's performance piece Twilight: Los Angeles, directed by Marc Levin, tells the story of the "Los Angeles riots" in the aftermath of the 1991 Rodney King beating from a variety of perspectives. The film collects fragments of monologues that both invite and provoke conversation. Together they raise questions about race, power, truth, and justice. They reveal how myths, misinformation, and misunderstanding can lead not only to prejudice and stereotyping but also violence.

This study guide is designed to help teachers and students discuss the difficult and controversial issues raised by the film. It suggests the complexities of Los Angeles's history or that of any other community in crisis. It also reveals the importance to a democracy of the kind of education that equips students to negotiate those complexities.