Check it out on the site....IT LOOKS GREAT ON THEIR SITE WITH PHOTOS!
http://www.chapiteau.de/hintermzelt/2010/wcc/1/wcc1.htm
Introducing “World Circus Culture,” A Feature DocumentaryBy Jessica Stewart
Photos by Ian Issitt
With over one hundred hours of filmed footage, the feature documentary, “World Circus Culture”, will reveal the realities of circus life on an international scale. Four acts, including Troupe Yakubov, the strap act from Kazakhstan, The Duss Family Sea Lions, Martin Lacey Jr., the lion act, and Rob Torres, the American clown, were interviewed and followed as each prepared for and competed at the 34th Annual International Monte Carlo Circus Festival. A fifth act, Barre Russe, performed and represented Cirque du Soleil for the first time at the festival, and will be filmed in more depth this May in Montreal. Filmmaker Angela Snow and Cinematographer Ian Issitt filmed and experienced firsthand the splendid personalities of these acts and awe-inspiring spectacles of circus culture, history, and artistic expression.
Rehearsing through grueling last minute sword choreography and strap acrobatic training in Gelsenkirchen, Troupe Yakubov proves that language is no barrier in circus. Several Chinese-speaking performers had recently joined this Russian-speaking act from Kazakhstan, making communication seemingly difficult. With strong leaders determined to train the new members, the troupe’s sincere respect and trust for one another proves to be what holds this flying act together. When asked how the group communicates their response was simply, “It’s circus.”
Communicating in six different languages is the Duss Family Sea Lions, who performed at Circus Ahoy in Rotterdam prior to the Monte Carlo festival. With Roland’s humor and Petra’s tenacity, these trainers care about their four sea lions like parents, as their lifestyle is like that of any family. Eating together, causing mischief, laughing, and experiencing frustration is a typical occurrence, whether it is Tino spraying Roland with water or Charlie jumping out of the pool racing to the ring to perform.
Always ready for the spotlight, Martin Lacey Jr. creates a spectacle wherever he travels, with his sixteen lions, cages, trailers and police escort. With an explosive act, including a man resembling Elvis standing upon a disco ball, and “twelve plus one” lions, (considering any mention of thirteen is unlucky), Martin takes lion taming to a remarkable level of precision and theatrics. Beyond the performance, Martin states this is his life and not just his job, as he has even taken a sleeping bag into his largest male lion, King Tonga’s cage.
Circus wouldn’t be complete without a clown to resurrect our childlike nature and cause audience members in Essen to laugh so intensely they near wet themselves. Despite performing as a lone figure competing against the spectacle of Martin Lacey Jr., Rob Torres does not let that stand in the way of his dream to compete in Monte Carlo, as laughs can be heard far outside the venues he visits. Rob allows all of us to temporarily step outside of ourselves and enter into a world of absurd fun.The Barre Russe Cirque du Soleil act presented a new variation on Russian Bar, led by Aleksander Dobrynin who developed it in 1977. Cirque’s innovative performance involves three bars and two or three flyers flipping through the air, often as many as 12 times in a row, each time landing back on the bar held by porters. Incredibly complex, yet appearing effortless, this act pushes the boundaries of classical circus.
These acts had high hopes of winning the esteemed Golden Clown award. Rehearsals, personal reflections, preparing equipment, and getting pictures taken were all a part of the suspense leading to the main event. Despite such high stakes, this did not prevent the display of existing friendships like that of Martin Lacey Jr. and Roland of the Duss Family Sea Lions. Upon seeing Roland, Martin embraced him as he joked of feeding the sea lions to his lions. However, once these acts enter the ring the competition begins, all friendships are set aside, and the fight for the gold begins. With five phenomenal performances, three of which won an award for their excellence, the Golden Clown was finally announced and presented to the fearless Martin Lacey Jr. who continues to stun audiences with his dramatic spectacles.
For more information, visit www.TotheMoonProductions.com/worldcircus.
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