Circus
- Title: Circus
- Duration: 6 х 60’
- Producer: USA
- Year: 2009
Circus is a blue-chip, exclusive access documentary series that charts a year in the life of the Big Apple Circus, one of the most respected and admired circuses in the world.
Circus employs state-of-the-art photography to capture the glittering drama of performance and immerses the viewer in a rich collection of intimate personal stories. This is a world unto itself, with its own rules and its own lingo. Among the 150 adults and 15 children in the Big Apple Circus are clowns, tightrope walkers, trapeze artists and animal trainers, as well as carpenters, electricians, musicians, ushers, cooks and teachers. Big Apple performers come from all over the world ─ the Nanjing trio from China, the Neves Troupe from Brazil, the Flying Cortes from Colombia, the Rodion troupe from Russia, Olivier Taquin from Belgium, Sarah Schwartz from Germany and Sultan Kumisbayev from Kazakhstan ─ making for one exciting and diverse travelling caravan.
«Circus» a six-part study of the Big Apple Circus that, has its share of aerialists, jugglers and clowns, of course, all beautifully filmed. But this quietly addictive program isn't really about what goes on inside the Big Apple's single ring. It's about the people, both under the lights and behind them, who make those performances possible. «Circus» filmed isn't a mere highlight reel; it takes the time to let you get to know this unusual collection of misfits and perfectionists, making their triumphs and especially their setbacks truly affecting.
Episodes
“First of May” (Episode #101)
Walden, NY is home base of the Big Apple Circus, where every summer the sets are built, the costumes fitted, and essentially, where the new show is put together before it goes on the road. As the performers and crew of this 150-member company prepare to set off on their year-long, 350-show, town-to-town tour, we introduce our central cast of characters – a newbie clown who wears his heart on his sleeve, the zany, larger-than-life director of this year’s show, the alluring all-female trapeze group who look great on the platform but can’t seem to catch their tricks, and the rough stock guys of the ring crew, who come from troubled pasts but are looking for a fresh start. Peppered throughout the episode we see people striving for their personal best – but the rigor and difficulties catch up with them – and we quickly learn that at the circus, just about anything can happen… including a bomb threat.
“One Ring Family” (Episode #102)
Still in Walden, the clock ticks down to the first full dress rehearsal… but not everyone is ready for an audience. The Flying Neves are under heavy scrutiny as their rehearsals reveal that the act is not up to snuff. And as Glen struggles to execute his solo routine to the director’s liking, he worries that they will replace him with another clown. All eyes are watching to see if these acts will succeed or fail… because in the circus, there are no secrets. In this episode, we’ll get inside the dynamics of the Big Apple family, and watch as relationships begin to gel, track developing rivalries and romances, and investigate the rewards and challenges of a lifestyle where your family and friends also happen to be your co-workers and neighbors.
“Change On” (Episode #103)
We’re on the road with the circus – traveling by caravan, and driving hundreds of miles in trailers to get from city to city. Next stop: Dulles, Virginia; the tour has officially started. But not for everyone. Upon arrival in Dulles, the company receives some shocking news – a major act in the show is fired. And, another performer is diagnosed with cancer and must drop out of the show for treatment. Faced with these setbacks, the pressure is on to have the show live up to the hype of being one of the premiere circuses in the world. And as the impact of a countrywide economic crisis begins to ripple through the circus, the lackluster ticket sales forecasted for Dulles does not bode well for the rest of the season.
“Survival of the Fittest” (Episode #104)
Lincoln Center will prove to be the most challenging stop on the tour – the lot is small and cramped, shows are stacked for the holiday season, and a NYC winter means icy winds and frozen pipes. We begin to understand just how difficult circus life can be. And while all kinds of people are drawn to the circus lifestyle, not everyone is cut out for it. We follow the stories of a horse groom, a trapeze artist, and the founder of Big Apple Circus – each grappling with the decision to stay with the circus or to leave it behind for the “real world.”
“Born to Be Circus” (Episode #105)
Big Apple Circus founder Paul Binder embarks on his annual trip to scout new talent at the renowned Monte Carlo circus festival. Not only is this one of the glitziest social events of the year, but it’s also an opportunity to stay connected with the international circus community, the extended family if you will. Here, we learn about the long tradition of circus, and how those in this community are working to ensure that circus survives. We meet the Anastasini family – Luciano and Gladis who are in charge of this year’s dog act, and their sons Adriano and Brando – who come from 9 generations of circus performers. Both Luciano and Gladis grew up in the circus, and it is the only life they know. But will their sons be content to carry on the family legacy?
“Down the Road” (Episode #106)
In the series’ final episode, we will traverse the final three months of the season. In the homestretch everyone is happy that the end is in sight, though many are uncertain about their job prospects when the season ends in July. Many of our characters are looking forward to bright futures – a 17-yr old acrobat who was born and raised in the circus is excited to go off to college, and one of the ring crew has found his soulmate in another crew member. As the trailers start to pull out of the lot, people jump out of their cars to give each other one last hug, and a “see you down the road,” the age-old circus farewell. And we watch the tent come down one last time.
“First of May” (Episode #101)
Walden, NY is home base of the Big Apple Circus, where every summer the sets are built, the costumes fitted, and essentially, where the new show is put together before it goes on the road. As the performers and crew of this 150-member company prepare to set off on their year-long, 350-show, town-to-town tour, we introduce our central cast of characters – a newbie clown who wears his heart on his sleeve, the zany, larger-than-life director of this year’s show, the alluring all-female trapeze group who look great on the platform but can’t seem to catch their tricks, and the rough stock guys of the ring crew, who come from troubled pasts but are looking for a fresh start. Peppered throughout the episode we see people striving for their personal best – but the rigor and difficulties catch up with them – and we quickly learn that at the circus, just about anything can happen… including a bomb threat.
“One Ring Family” (Episode #102)
Still in Walden, the clock ticks down to the first full dress rehearsal… but not everyone is ready for an audience. The Flying Neves are under heavy scrutiny as their rehearsals reveal that the act is not up to snuff. And as Glen struggles to execute his solo routine to the director’s liking, he worries that they will replace him with another clown. All eyes are watching to see if these acts will succeed or fail… because in the circus, there are no secrets. In this episode, we’ll get inside the dynamics of the Big Apple family, and watch as relationships begin to gel, track developing rivalries and romances, and investigate the rewards and challenges of a lifestyle where your family and friends also happen to be your co-workers and neighbors.
“Change On” (Episode #103)
We’re on the road with the circus – traveling by caravan, and driving hundreds of miles in trailers to get from city to city. Next stop: Dulles, Virginia; the tour has officially started. But not for everyone. Upon arrival in Dulles, the company receives some shocking news – a major act in the show is fired. And, another performer is diagnosed with cancer and must drop out of the show for treatment. Faced with these setbacks, the pressure is on to have the show live up to the hype of being one of the premiere circuses in the world. And as the impact of a countrywide economic crisis begins to ripple through the circus, the lackluster ticket sales forecasted for Dulles does not bode well for the rest of the season.
“Survival of the Fittest” (Episode #104)
Lincoln Center will prove to be the most challenging stop on the tour – the lot is small and cramped, shows are stacked for the holiday season, and a NYC winter means icy winds and frozen pipes. We begin to understand just how difficult circus life can be. And while all kinds of people are drawn to the circus lifestyle, not everyone is cut out for it. We follow the stories of a horse groom, a trapeze artist, and the founder of Big Apple Circus – each grappling with the decision to stay with the circus or to leave it behind for the “real world.”
“Born to Be Circus” (Episode #105)
Big Apple Circus founder Paul Binder embarks on his annual trip to scout new talent at the renowned Monte Carlo circus festival. Not only is this one of the glitziest social events of the year, but it’s also an opportunity to stay connected with the international circus community, the extended family if you will. Here, we learn about the long tradition of circus, and how those in this community are working to ensure that circus survives. We meet the Anastasini family – Luciano and Gladis who are in charge of this year’s dog act, and their sons Adriano and Brando – who come from 9 generations of circus performers. Both Luciano and Gladis grew up in the circus, and it is the only life they know. But will their sons be content to carry on the family legacy?
“Down the Road” (Episode #106)
In the series’ final episode, we will traverse the final three months of the season. In the homestretch everyone is happy that the end is in sight, though many are uncertain about their job prospects when the season ends in July. Many of our characters are looking forward to bright futures – a 17-yr old acrobat who was born and raised in the circus is excited to go off to college, and one of the ring crew has found his soulmate in another crew member. As the trailers start to pull out of the lot, people jump out of their cars to give each other one last hug, and a “see you down the road,” the age-old circus farewell. And we watch the tent come down one last time.