Paradise Abandoned, Inside the Pacific Palisades Fire, a documentary by Rob Montz, will have a special screening from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, November 23 at the Morgan Wixson Theater in Santa Monica. RSVP: click here.
To see the preview: https://youtu.be/kfxX-8fpUMA
At the beginning of May, I received a call from Rob Muntz, who wanted to speak to people about the Palisades Fire. He told me that his mom, who is in her 70s lost her home on Las Casas. He interviewed her and when he spoke to me, he said he hoped this documentary he was making might help her. He asked, “How did a single spark incinerate my hometown?”
I put him in touch with many Palisades residents, and also spoke with him on camera. I’m anxious to see the film, with the hope that the exposure will help people affected by the fire and prevent something like this ever happening again. Although homes and businesses can be replaced, the lives lost and those who have forever lost their homes cannot.
Montz is the co-founder and CEO of Good Kid Productions, a media company that was later rebranded to ROB MONTZ with creative and strategic support from This is 42.
As a documentary filmmaker, Montz has built a distinctive voice in online long-form storytelling, with his work garnering millions of views and being featured in major outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, USA Today, and The Megyn Kelly Show.
He continues to ex lore provocative questions surrounding power, culture, and higher education—often tackling subjects others shy away from>
He received a degree in philosophy from Brown University (Class of 2005), where he graduated with what he humorously describes as “precisely zero marketable skills.” Today, he lives with his wife and three children on a 50-acre farm nestled in the Virginia woods.
We lost our home of 50 years on Galloway. There are no words to describe the all-encompassing feelings of loss, pain, anger, desperation, depression, despair and overwhelming sadness. This was a house my parents helped paint and remodel. Where every family celebration took place. A house that held precious hand made gifts resided. Containers of photos, medals, ornaments, collections, bridal gowns, books, sheet music written by a long ago piano teacher, etc etc etc. Multiply our loss by almost 900 others! The loss of our beautiful town will forever be one of the greatest tragedies of our lives and that of our children. We’ll be back!
When and where will this be available for general streaming?
Thank you so much for shining the light, that has been so needed on this devastation for so many families! I lived in Carmel By The Sea and was born there… Recently moved to another state for safer and affordable living.
When the Palisades fire erupted, the first thing I thought of was that could’ve been me in my home in the forest along the hills or in the valleys near the shoreline. Unfortunately, it did happen to some of my friends that are still struggling..
I hope this documentary provides more energy in the hearts of those that are feeling hopeless, having to deal with this result… But I know their strength and Numbers and to watch Gavin Newsom sitting in Brazil lying, trying to make himself look like the hero when he was told many years ago to clean and thin out the forest, but with his Climate change agenda, not preventing water to travel down from Northern California into the reservoir and with his budget cuts preventing maintenance for the fire department… And for bass not to focus on hiring more Fireman and providing updated trucks… It was bound to happen you are right and I know this documentary was showing the much needed light on the truth and in some manner motivate those that lost loved ones and homes to rally together and go get them!… “Go get them!”
(sorry for any poor grammar or misspellings, but I am old and speaking into my iPhone and it’s typing for me🙏)
Let me know when this shows. I’d like to watch. What channel?
Thank you for bringing the truth to light. This was a horrible fire caused by negligence.
Unfortunately, no heads will roll. The buck will roll downhill instead of at the top where it belongs.
Will there be real justice and not blame game!! My heart breaks for all those who lost their homes and livelihoods.
My church, Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine, on Sunset Blvd was also miraculously saved by several determined members and at great risk to their own lives. The leadership in California is pathetic. Citizens may want to look at what they are voting into office carefully or this will continue.
As soon as its available, CTN will post where it can be viewed.