You Are Invited to Attend the Premiere of “Christian Holder: My Life is Dance,” October 30th and 31st at the Chicago History Museum

Oscar-winning producer and director Brigitte Berman (“Artie Shaw: Time Is All You’ve Got”) is premiering her new film “Christian Holder: My Life Is Dance” at the Chicago History Museum on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31. Tickets are free and can be reserved here . Christian Holder is one of the most celebrated dancers in the history of Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet Company, and what makes this film so distinctive is how it details the story of his life through his artistry. The autobiographical cabarets that Holder debuted in New York and London are masterfully utilized by Berman as her film’s narrative backbone, while illuminating how he tackled some of the most vital issues of his time including civil rights, his anti-war stance and his passion for humanity. Christian Holder is the nephew of Geoffrey Holder and Carmen de Lavallade (who is in the film). He was a force of nature. Sadly, he passed away just last February 2025, at age 75. His acclaimed performance as Death in the revival of Kurt Jooss’s antiwar ballet The Green Table enabled him to express through dance his opposition to the ongoing Vietnam War during the 1970s. Holder’s genius also extended to writing the book and lyrics for Verse of Fortune , a theatrical production about 19th century poet Charles Baudelaire, and designing costumes for such icons as Tina Turner, Bette Midler and Ann Reinking. “I felt deeply honored that Christian Holder entrusted me with his life story,” Berman said in her director’s statement. “I knew the film had to be guided by Christian’s own voice and perspective. His cabaret performances – those luminous, deeply personal, autobiographical works that he acted, sang, spoke, and brought to life became the natural spine of the film…It was essential to me that this film not only portray Christian as an artist and a man, but also clearly place him squarely within the charged political and social currents of his time. Art does not exist in isolation – it collides with injustice, intolerance, fear, and the need for change.” Two free screenings of “Christian Holder: My Life Is Dance” will take place at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street , the first at 5:30pm on October 30th, followed by another at 12:30pm on Saturday, October 31st. Berman will be in attendance for Q&As at both screenings, which are presented in partnership with The Joffrey Ballet, the Chicago International Film Festival, and the Gerald Arpino Foundation. I am an Executive Producer and will participate in the Friday panel. I previously conducted the Q&A with Ms. Berman at Telluride for her film “Hugh Hefner’s After Dark: Speaking Out In America.” RSVPs are requested for these screenings and can be made here .

This article is sourced from Roger Ebert. For the full story: