The Tara Theater lives!
Tara's closure by the Regal Corporation in November deprived Atlanta cinema-lovers of films like the documentary "Turn Every Page," about the long and sometimes volatile relationship of biographer Robert Caro and editor Robert Gottlieb.
For months, I've been anticipating the film's arrival in Atlanta, but no local theater has booked it, although it's been showing for weeks in other cities. "Turn Every Page" is the kind of out-of-the mainstream movie that for years found a place at the Tara.
Perhaps such films will return to Tara's screen. Chis Escobar, owner of the independent Plaza Theater in Poncey-Highland, plans to resurrect the Tara at its old location in a strip shopping mall on Cheshire Bridge Road.
Escobar in making the announcement Tuesday at the close of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival said he plans to show 35 mm and 70 mm films, along with digital productions.
A fund-raising campaign is under way to reopen the theater, Escobar said, reporting that Regal took all of the production equipment and perhaps even the popcorn machine.
Film goers can buy ticket vouchers for redemption when the theater reopens, or give a donation, at the Tara's web site. Escobar and fellow investors seek to return the Tara to the glory days of local film entrepreneur George Lefont's ownership.
The Tara's reopening would bring back Atlanta as a serious film town. The fund-raising campaign allows film-goers to have a sense of ownership.
Like clapping for Tinker Bell, we can bring Tara's magic light back to life.
Comments