'' Ask the Dust '' is a 2006 American-German film based on the book '' Ask the Dust '' by John Fante . The film was written and directed by Robert Towne and remains , , his last feature film . Tom Cruise ( with Paula Wagner and Cruise/Wagner Productions ) served as one of the film 's producers . The film was released on a limited basis on March 17 , 2006 , and was entered into the 28th Moscow International Film Festival . It was filmed almost entirely in South Africa with the use of stages to portray Los Angeles
28th Moscow International Film Festival
28th Moscow International Film Festival
Ask the Dust (film)