Film Forum

(2005, Linda Atkinson and Nick Doob) Married for nearly 60 years — from 1955 until his death in 2014 — Carmen De Lavallade (from L.A.) and Geoffrey Holder (from Trinidad) met in the company of the Truman Capote/Harold Arlen musical House of Flowers — and wed a month later. Dancers, actors and choreographers — both together and individually — Carmen was star soloist for the Lester Horton, John Butler and Alvin Ailey companies, as well as the Met Opera’s prima ballerina, and, at 85, still twirls with infinite grace; while 6-foot-six Geoffrey was also a Tony award-winning director and set designer, musician, choreographer, costume designer, and painter. Tonight, following a screening of Carmen & Geoffrey, Carmen and filmmakers Doob and Atkinson will join us in person for an onstage interview.

Reviews

Read The Village Voice’s May 24th feature on recent Lifetime Achievement Obie Award winner Carmen De Lavallade here.

“One of the most revelatory dance films I have ever seen…Just see it!”
– Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

“Exquisite!”
– Ernest Hardy, The Village Voice

 “Charming, big-hearted, rare and invaluable …. Carmen & Geoffrey is a portrait and celebration of a marriage as well as a chronicle of two ongoing, vibrant careers in the arts.”
– Susan Reiter, New York Press

“INFORMED, AFFECTIONATE…As the film follows Mr. Holder, he radiates the energy of a sun king…Carmen & Geoffrey is crammed with excerpts from pieces the couple created or performed in separately and together over 50 years…leaves you wondering why its subjects are not widely recognized as national treasures.”
– Stephen Holden, The New York Times 

“Focuses on two of the most innovative figures of African-American modern dance…The husband and wife emerge as remarkably charismatic; De Lavallade’s dancing is still extraordinary, even at the age of 71. The scenes of De Lavallade dancing with Alvin Ailey are real treats.”
– Anna King, Time Out 

“Holder’s larger-than-life gusto and de Lavallade’s graceful serenity still register onscreen today...A stunning excerpt features a sensually charged [Alvin] Ailey/de Lavallade pas de deux from Porgy and Bess (dance-directed by Joe Layton and broadcast on NBC in 1961), hot enough to melt the black-and-white kinescope…Myriad examples of [Holder’s] electrifying classical hoofing are on display, as well as the bold, West Indies-influenced choreography and costume design that alchemized ballet and rebooted Broadway.”
– Ronnie Scheib, Variety 

“A valuable, charming and entertaining record of two key figures in the history of modern dance.”
– Lou Lumenick, The New York Post 

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