A delightful feel-good movie about a circus family, filmed over the course of a year, as seen through the eyes of 11-year-old Santino, a boy who is yet to discover his special talent.
The movie takes you right into the magic of the circus world, with cheerful animation, tuba music, lights, glitter and the enthusiastic voice of central character Santini, who introduces his family: his mum and dad, younger brother Giordano and his beloved great-grandfather Ehe, the founder of the Circus Arena, one of the last remaining family circuses in Europe.
As we progress through the seasons, the movie paints an enchanting picture of family and performance life. It shows why such family businesses continue to exist, even if their numbers are dwindling, and why they are handed down from generation to generation. The film is about the joy of being on the road, entertaining people, and being part of a close-knit community – without overly romanticising circus life.
Directors Julia Lemke and Anna Koch managed to make themselves invisible while capturing every meaningful moment and every aspect of this special environment.
Circusboy strikes a delicate balance between reality and enchantment. It shows the hard work and worry that goes into maintaining the circus – come rain or shine, the tents must be erected, the animals fed, repairs made, routines rehearsed, homework done. And before the show begins, tickets, popcorn, and merchandise must be sold by the same people who will be on the trapeze minutes later.
The scenes of the actual show are filmed in a way that emphasises the magic of the moment: dramatic colours, lights, angles, movement and music, the excited faces of the audience, the laughter and applause – it is all about spectacle, wonder, reaching for the stars.
Meanwhile, we really get to know Santino, who has to decide what kind of circus performer he wants to be. He talks to his family about how they found their special talent, he practises acrobatic jumps on the trampoline, he tries juggling and climbing, he goes into the arena with the ponies.
We see him visiting several schools where a good part of the time is spent talking about the circus. Sometimes he is lucky enough to find an instant friend, but mostly these are fleeting encounters that leave him feeling a bit lonely. Fortunately, he has his grandfather, who loves to tell him stories about his past.
These stories are brought to life through colourful, simple and touching animations. It is not all about the good old days, but also about the darker side of being part of the traveling community, which faced discrimination and persecution during the Second World War. In his wisdom, Grandfather Ehe concludes that “we’re just not one of them,” a truth that Santino accepts as a fact of life. He will live his life in the circus, as will his children after him.
Circusboy may be aimed at a younger audience, but is a very mature and balanced film for the whole family. Just like the circus itself. It is an immersive and fun experience that makes you feel like you are part of a beautiful, different reality.
Germany, 86 minutes, 2025
Writer-directors Julia Lemke, Anna Koch (Badabum Duo)
Producer Katharina Bergfeld
Cinematography Julia Lemke
Animation Magda Kreps, Lea Majeran
Set Sound Maik Glöckner
Distribution Flare Films
