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Director
Janez Burger
Credits
Producers: Morgan Bushe, Jozko Rutar. Writer: Janez Burger
Principal Cast
Leon Lucev, Ravil Sultanov, Pauliina Räsänen, René Bazinet
Category
Feature
An Irish cinematic first, Circus Fantasticus is an Irish-Slovenian co-production, and one entirely devoid of dialogue at that. Make no mistake however, Janez Burger’s film is no throwback to the silent era à la The Artist. This is a portrait of an unnamed Balkan land plagued by war, including a family living in a desolate rural war zone, their mother murdered –mere collateral damage in the ongoing turmoil. One night, they’re paid a visit by a mysterious convoy: anticipating conflict, they instead find a travelling circus troupe, which proceeds to set up camp. Circus as metaphor for the absurdity of war is a hoary old chestnut, but this surreal romp – an ode to the transcendence of entertainment – pulls off the seemingly impossible, making it fresh all over again.
Notes by Derek O'Connor
77 minutes, Ireland/Slovenia/Finland/Sweden, 2010, Colour
BLUE MOON 16.10
BUGONIA 15.40 (35mm)
DIE MY LOVE 13.10
HORSESHOE 16.00, 20.40
IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT 13.50, 20.50
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 18.10
PILLION 13.40, 18.00
SUNSET BOULEVARD (75th ANNIVERSARY RE-RELEASE) 18.20
THE SHINING (45th ANNIVERSARY) 20.15 (OC)
The IFI is supported by The Arts Council