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“In a world…”

People of a certain age might be hearing that spoken in the deep, dramatic tones of a voiceover artist doing a movie trailer. Many movie trailers either begin with or include that opening phrase when talking about the movie because inherent in the act of watching a movie is entering a whole other world, whether that’s a world of comedy where people are saying ridiculous things every other minute or of drama where every act is somehow of paramount importance. The clearest example of this entering a whole other world is in the world of speculative fiction. In speculative fiction, that world can include a future not too different from ours, a faraway kingdom ruled by an evil wizard, or a haunted house occupied by many hungry spirits. Many of these movies, these worlds, can seem interchangeable (How many houses can actually be haunted?) while the creators of these worlds, the writers and directors, put their own unique stamp, their vision, onto them, creating recognizable elements that tend to draw fans to their work. One such creator is Mexican filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro, who celebrates a birthday this week on October 9th. 

The worlds that Del Toro creates are fantasy worlds that closely border our own. These worlds can be places that provide an escape, such as the fairy kingdom in “Pan’s Labyrinth” (DVD Foreign PAN). It’s a world that promises wonder and is a welcome change to young Ophelia, a girl living during the Francoist Dictatorship in Spain circa 1944. Sometimes those worlds that exist outside of the real world can be terrifying, such as the haunted house at the center of Del Toro’s Gothic tale “Crimson Peak” (DVD Horror CRIM). Through his stories, he’s brought movie watchers to a haunted orphanage during the Spanish Civil War (“The Devil’s Backbone,” which can be found in DVD Foreign DEVI) or to a world full of alien monsters and giant robots (“Pacific Rim” located in DVD SciFi/Fantasy PACI). His directorial work doesn’t even include the films he’s had a hand in writing and producing (“The Orphanage,” a supernatural horror film which takes place in an orphanage and one Del Toro helped produce, is one of my favorite ghost stories). 

What is great about the many worlds that Del Toro has created is how he uses these fantastical worlds to discuss real world issues like fascism and authoritarianism (the villains in many of his films are soldiers and leaders in fascist regimes). He also talks a great deal about the Monster, how they aren’t simply evil but as complex as any person we see everyday. Everyone is capable of being human or monster, good or evil. It’s not a perfect world but I’m glad I’m living in a world with filmmakers like Del Toro, filmmakers who hold up a mirror to humanity, in it. 

I’m also glad to be working at a library with these awesome programs: 

On Tuesday, October 8, at 6 pm, Ron Kibbey’s Comedy Classics presents a spooky screwball comedy from 1944. Albert L. Tuttle (Jack Haley) is a life insurance salesman with terrible timing. Upon reaching the estate of millionaire Cyrus J. Rutherford he is informed by the eerie butler Merkil (Bela Lugosi) that his prospective client has recently died. Rutherford’s relatives are gathered to hear the reading of his will and Tuttle is drawn into a strange world of secret tunnels, odd portraits and a vanishing corpse. Popcorn and snacks provided!

On Wednesday, October 9, at 2 p.m., the Kentucky Picture Show presents a 1961 film based on Henry James’ novella “The Turn of the Screw.” A young governess for two children becomes convinced that the house and grounds are haunted. Popcorn and snacks provided!

On Saturday, October 12 at 9 a.m. and Sunday, October 13th at 2 p.m., the library is hosting a two-day Handmade Calendars course. Are you interested in bringing more art into your daily life? Join Kelly as we play with paint and paper and learn some bookmaking skills to make our own weekly and monthly calendar organizers. You must come both days to complete the calendar. Space is limited. Registration is required (remember that when you register on Saturday, October 12, you are registering to attend both days of the program).

This Saturday, October 12, at 2 p.m., is the library’s monthly meeting of the Spice Club. The Spice Club is a great way to try out new spices and share ideas with other home cooks!  We will provide some info on the next featured spice, and a sample for you to try! Please bring a tasting sample if you would like! See the Reference Desk to register & pick up your spice sample.