Am I the only one who hadn't heard about this? Apparently James Cameron is producing a 3D film that brings Cirque du Soleil to the big screen. Directed by Andrew Adamson, the film looks to be a mash-up of Cirque's most impressive numbers strung loosely together by the classic Cirque narrative "Main Character gets dragged into colourful circus realm, wonder ensues."
Ever so slowly the trailer is finding its way onto Facebook, and now it's finding its way to you! It really does look to be quite rich visually, and beautifully filmed. And if it really is a collection of Cirque's best acts, it's going to make for one helluva movie for those who love circus.
You know what's great on a lazy Sunday afternoon? Watching a movie. And remember how last week I talked about the 1956 classic Trapeze? Well I've been thinking about it ever since. And seeing as Sundays and movies go so well together, and Trapeze really is a film every circus fan should see, I though the best thing I could do on day such as today is bring Trapeze to you.
It's World Circus Day! If you've found your way to my blog today, you're already off to a good start! Last year I suggested all kinds of ways to celebrate. And while I still think the best possible way to celebrate would be to attend an event near you, a close second would be to cozy up with a circus inspired film! I've featured a couple so far this month and would like to add the 1956 classic Trapeze to the list of films every circus fan should see.
But because today is a special day, I have a special surprise for you! If you don't have the time or energy to find a circus film to view, look no further. Today, for your viewing and circus pleasure, I present Charlie Chaplin's The Circus!
"Javier, a Sad Clown, finds work in a circus where he befriends an outlandish cast of characters, including the brutish Happy Clown, Sergio, who humiliates Javier daily in the name of entertainment. It is here that he meets Natalia, a gorgeous acrobat and abused wife of Sergio. Javier falls deeply in love with Natalia and tries to rescue her from her cruel and violent husband, unleashing Sergio’s jealousy. With neither man willing to back down, this twisted love triangle evolves into a ferocious battle between Sad Clown and Happy Clown, escalating to unbelievable heights in this shocking, irreverent and unforgettable film."
Apparently, the opening scene, set near the end of the Spanish Civil war, consists of soldiers interrupting a children's show and forcibly enlisting the man playing the Happy Clown. Next up is the extremely disturbing sight of a clown in drag mowing Franco soldiers down with a machete.
I've never been coulrophobic (afraid of clowns), but based on the trailer of this film, I think I could become so.
The following clip is an excerpt from the film Always Leave Them Laughing. The film is about a young comic who plays second-rate nightclubs and chintzy resorts while struggling to break into the big time. In the following scene Eddie Eagen (Bert Lahr) tells Kip Cooper (Milton Berle) what makes a great clown.
I am by no means an expert on clown, but what Eddie says is bang on. It's not just the jokes. The good stuff starts at 1m39s.
This post was scheduled for much later in the month, but in light of recent events, it seems a more fitting transition back into the regular content.
Got 20 minutes to spare? Might I suggest you take a moment to enjoy this short film about hope and triumphing over adversity in the age of the Great Depression, all through the wonder of circus?
Word on the street is that this film by Joshua and Rebekah Weigel has been so successful that plans are in the works to expand it into a full length feature. Let's hope so!
Have you ever wanted to run away and join the circus? Experience life under the Big Top? Fly through the air with the greatest of ease, be the daring young man on the flying trapeze? If so, welcome to Kicking Sawdust.
