Renewed interest in circus arts on the rise?

By Michael Knox, director of “Tearing Down the Tent,” mknox@modernfilmzine.com

I’m not sure, but it really does seem like people are sharing a renewed interest in the circus arts. Or at least that’s what it seems lately when I go looking for stories for ModernFilmZine and keep finding more press releases related to circuses.

I already talked about PBS’ “Circus” series, slated for fall of 2010, and now going to one of my news sites I’ve found out that Cirque Eloize opened for the NHL All Star Game at the Bell Center.

The NHL commissioned the Special Events Division of Cirque Eloize to design an act as part of the
opening ceremony for the 57th All Star Game held January 25 at the Bell Center in Montreal.

In addition to its tour performances, Cirque Eloize develops custom made concepts for international special events. To date, more than 1000 events have taken place.

Cirque Eloize Special Events division also offers turnkey events at it’s head office/creative studio located in the Dalhousie train station, a historic building in the heart of Old-Montreal. To learn more about Cirque Eloize and the shows that we have produced and the awards that we have won please visit our web site
at http://www.cirque-eloize.com/en/

Now, personally, I hate the fact that I missed the show, even by video, and guess I need to try and Youtube it to watch it. But the bottom line is it seems more and more often that there are people intrigued by this anachronistic life style that is circus living.

And that bodes well for our film, “Tearing Down the Tent.” I continue to be surprised by how many people bond with the film. Just last night I was at a party and a complete stranger, who is the boyfriend of a friend of a friend, commented on the movie.

He had been at one of the private screenings, a guest of my friend, and he thought enough of it to ask me about the movie a month later. It surprised me how many people keep calling “Tearing Down the Tent” amazing. That’s good, but still, I’m always surprised by this praise.

But maybe our movie touches people because it shows a slice of life part of a dying tradition. I personally hope that’s not the case. With so much interest in the circus industry right now, nothing would make me happier than to sell our movie and make it where people watch the film and go out to the next circus that hits their town.

Because the circus life is something very few people see anymore. I just hope the news I keep seeing about circuses is in deed a sign of changing interests and people wanting to see the circus at its fullest again.