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.