Thursday, November 9, 2000
Home Edition
Section: Calendar
Page: F-34

By: KEVIN THOMAS
TIMES STAFF WRITER

The Laemmle Theaters’ “Documentary Days” continues Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Sunset 5 with Jason Rosette’s terrific “BookWars,” in which he reveals the world of his fellow used booksellers who line a stretch of pavement on Manhattan’s West 4th Street in Greenwich Village and around the corner on the Avenue of the Americas. Free spirits who’ve dropped out of the rat race for various reasons, all are striking individuals, some decidedly eccentric.

Just when the documentary hits its most idyllic notes, Mayor Giuliani’s “quality of life” drive starts putting the squeeze on the street book vendors in the most heavy-handed and ominous fashion.

Sunset 5 is at 8000 Sunset Blvd. Information: (323) 848-3500.

“BookWars” also screens Nov. 18 and 19 at 11 a.m. at the Monica 4-Plex, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica. Information: (310) 394-9741.