Khaberni - American star Kristen Stewart continues her artistic wagers outside the traditional framework of Hollywood, and this time through the gateway of restoring historic theaters, after announcing a project to revive the "Highland" theater in Highland Park in Los Angeles.
In statements to Architectural Digest, Stewart, who is 35 years old, revealed her long-standing passion for abandoned theaters, considering them to carry unseen stories waiting to be rediscovered. She explained that she had not planned to look for a specific theater, until she was suddenly captivated by this building, describing the moment as an irresistible burst.
Stewart sees the project as transcending architectural restoration to become a platform for meeting, creativity, and collective thinking, confirming her aim to transform the theater into a space that serves the local community and is managed with a family spirit, far from the exclusivity associated with the Hollywood film industry.
She added that her vision for the theater stems from a desire to liberate cinema from corporate logic and business deals, and to create a space that allows art to return to its essence, noting that there is a real longing among the audience for such cultural initiatives.
She also pointed out that the building retains striking architectural details that require special care, affirming her belief in the possibility of restoring it in a manner that respects its history while simultaneously giving it a new presence that positively reflects on the neighborhood and the cinema scene in Los Angeles.
Stewart's move is part of a broader trend in the city's film community, where a number of filmmakers have turned to supporting independent theaters, including Quentin Tarantino, as well as prominent names like Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Jason Reitman, and Bradley Cooper, who have contributed to preserving historic theaters as part of protecting American cinema's memory.
