44 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022

G

rowing up in
Birmingham,
Joel Paul Reisig
celebrated both Chanukah
and Christmas with his
family, making
him perfectly
qualified to
be an equal-
opportunity
movie producer.
On Dec. 4,
Reisig’s latest
film, Christmas
at the Holly Hotel, will have
its world premiere at two
red-carpet screenings at
the Redford Theatre. With
more than 2,000 tickets sold,
Reisig says that it’s the largest

film premiere in Michigan’s
history.
Those who don’t already
have tickets to the Dec. 4
premieres will have two
more opportunities locally
to see Christmas at the
Holly Hotel. On Friday, Dec.
16, the Detroit Historical
Museum will host a fundraiser
screening and strolling dinner
to benefit the Holly Hotel and
the Detroit Historical Society.
And on Sunday, Dec. 18, the
Maple Theater in Bloomfield
Township will present a
screening and Q&A with
Reisig and members of the
cast and crew.
Reisig multitasks as

producer, director, writer
and even as a cameo actor in
Christmas at the Holly Hotel.
“I always wanted to do a
Hallmark-style Christmas
movie where people could sit
back and enjoy without being
preached to about politics
or religion,” said Reisig,
who, in the past 15 years,

has produced more than
30 feature films, mostly in
Michigan; directed 15, written
13 and acted in 25.
“My next seasonal movie
that is ruminating in my
head is a feel-good romantic
comedy with Jewish leads and
a Chanukah backdrop,” Reisig
adds. “What I dislike about

ARTS&LIFE
ON THE COVER

Movie producer Joel Paul Reisig’s
quest for holiday rom-coms lands
him at historic Holly Hotel.

Haul Out
the Holly

Julie Smith
Yolles
Contributing
Writer

On location at the Holly Hotel are, from left, Dennis Doyle Jr. and
Colleen Gentry, who play real-life Holly Hotel owners George and Chrissy
Kutlenios; Christmas at the Holly Hotel producer, co-writer and director
Joel Paul Reisig; and Jesi Jensen, who stars as fictional daughter Kathy
Kutlenios.

Joel Paul Reisig, a former professional
horse wrangler, directed Rodeo
Girl, which he wrote, produced and
directed, from horseback in 2016.
Rodeo Girl was filmed on location at
the Roanoke Ranch for Kids in Lowell,
Mich.