Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession

Xan Cassavetes' film explores the euphoric rise and tragic descent of Z Channel, Los Angeles’ first pay cable service and its virtuosic film programmer Jerry Harvey. Launched in 1974, Z Channel quickly became required viewing for Hollywood bigwigs and cinephiles alike. Harvey programmed old films, euro films, lost films as well as genre flicks, Hollywood blockbusters and much more. Jerry Harvey grappled with great personal distress but under his purview, the Z Channel became the first screening forum for Director’s Cuts. Featuring interviews with collaborators, critics and filmmakers such as Robert Altman, Henry Jaglom, Paul Verhoeven, Quentin Tarantino, Penelope Spheeris, Alexander Payne, Jim Jarmusch, Jacqueline Bisset, Theresa Russell, James Woods & F.X. Feeney.