Ghostlight

Colour, 35 mm
USA, 2003, 80 min
Section: Dance for the Camera

Synopsis

This loving homage to legendary dancer/choreographer Martha Graham (1894–1991) creates a truly original cinematic cosmos in tune with its eccentric subject and the revolution she created in the world of movement. A leading exponent of a gravity-ridden modern dance, Graham created a now widely taught technique based on contraction and release. Director-cowriter Christopher Herrmann worked with Graham’s colleagues (including dancers from her company) and performance artist Richard Move (known for his notorious show “Martha @…”) to create an impressionistic portrait of this 20th century icon that also manages to send up her self-described “life of divine turbulence” in a vastly entertaining way. The score was performed by the Czech Philharmonic, conducted by Petr Vronský and František Preisler. 
 

About the director

Christopher Herrmann is the founding and creative director for "mannicmedia", a New York-based production company specializing in documentary films, television commercials, and interactive presentations in multiple arenas.  Herrmann studied film at NYU Film School and the New School. He was Martha Graham’s biographer, confidante and close friend from 1987 until her death. He worked as Director of Film Projects at the Martha Graham Dance Company for a number of years. Ghostlight marks his feature directing debut.