Being in a theatre just as the movie begins is like stepping onto a magic carpet. In mere seconds, the audience is whisked into the realm of someone else’s imagination, artistry and creativity.

Just weeks from now, Lakewood Public Library launches a new film series entitled Five Star Films that takes to the silver screen at its Main Library Auditorium. The series will feature one film per month from March through August, 2008. FSF’s objective is to offer the community a set of motion pictures that best exemplify the art and craft of cinema, both arthouse and classic, meant to immerse the audience in excellence.

While living for several years in Tarpon Springs, Florida, I was asked to produce/host a weekly feature film series for that city’s Cultural Center Theatre. It was a dream come true. Fast forward to late summer 2007, eight months after we’d moved back to Lakewood. Good fortune struck again in the persons of library Director Ken Warren, Deputy Director Kim Paras and John Guscott, Manager of Electronic Services. My husband, Noel Hill, had mentioned the Florida production to Mr. Warren. He invited me to a group meeting. Within the week, we’d sat down to discuss the possibility of LPL adding a new film series into its upcoming programs.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to be named producer/presenter. And with neither shame nor regret, admit to having a life-long love affair with motion pictures since age four, when my parents took me to see Gone with the Wind. Two of my uncles operated movie houses, and having this familial easy access to the magical world of films was equivalent to letting a kid loose in a candy store.

Five Star Film’s premiere choice is TANGO. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the musical genre tango was born in the 1890’s, tango soon became embedded in the everyday life of the people. Pure tango is comprised of the dance, the music and the singers of tango. A more contemporary form is the highly-stylized theatrical or stage version that emphasizes the dance. Today numerous tango cafes remain very popular, crowded with devotees and students of the dance.

With this motion picture, renowned Spanish film director Carlos Saura (The Trilogy: Blood Wedding/El Amor Brujo/Carmen) has captured the soul of tango in every aspect of its elegance and beauty. The spectacular cinematography is by the legendary Vittorio Storaro (The Last Emperor). Choreography and music are mesmerizing. Against that lush and sensual backdrop is set the fledgling romance between a recently-jilted film director and a beautiful dancer in the movie he’s shooting about tango. But danger overshadows them, posed by her jealous underworld ex-boyfriend. When he attempts reconciliation, she rejects him. He threatens her. Nevertheless, the couple remains together. Will fate be cruel – or kind?

Showtime: 6:00 P. M. on March 15, 2008, in the library’s Main Auditorium with a reception beforehand at 5:00 p.m. So pack your popcorn and plan to get away with the greats.