Limelight

1952, United States, Charlie Chaplin, 137 min.

With Charlie Chaplin, Claire Bloom, and Nigel Bruce

Introduced by Teva Bjerken.

Depressed over her failed ballet career, Terry (Bloom) attempts suicide only to be rescued by Calvero (Chaplin), an impoverished, once-famous stage clown. Calvero takes it upon himself to revive Terry’s health and prospects and in the process recovers his own self-esteem.

“Although it was not quite his last film, there can be little doubt that Limelight was Charlie Chaplin’s farewell. It is also probably his most personal, revealing film.” —Roger Ebert, 1972

About the Speaker

Teva Bjerken teaches the Alexander Technique to performers, bringing her career in dance to the art of performance. She trained and was certified by the American Center for Alexander Technique and served as an assistant teacher at both Juilliard and Mannes School of Music. Her dance training included the scholarship program at American Ballet Theater, the high school division of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Sarah Lawrence College. As a member of Codanceco (NYC), she has collaborated on the creation of many dance/theater pieces. She has performed at the American Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Los Angeles Opera, Dance Theater Workshop, La Mama, The Kitchen, and P.S. 122. At the 1989 “Bessie” (Dance/Theater) Awards she won for best collaboration between director/choreographer, composer, and performers.

About Cabaret Cinema

For the Museum’s classic film series, renowned photographer Steve McCurry selected eight films that have influenced the way he looks at light, color, form, and narrative. Journalists and photographers will introduce each film and relate it to one of McCurry’s photographs in the new exhibition Steve McCurry: India.