Fellini exposes his great attraction for the clowns and the world of the circus first recalling a childhood experience when the circus arrives nearby his home. Then he joins his crew and travel from Italy to Paris chasing the last greatest European clowns still live in these countries. He also meets Anita Ekberg trying to buy a panther in a circus.
Direction
Fellini blurs reality so hard even the 'real' interviews feel staged.
Production
Recreated vintage circus footage that's prettier than actual history.
Acting
Anita Ekberg buying a panther. No script, just vibes.
Director
Federico Fellini
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Fellini shot the childhood flashback first, then invented the documentary framework to justify the budget. Classic fraud, beautifully executed.
This aired on Italian television in 1970 as a 'special'—imagine CBS prime time broadcasting a mournful essay on dying art forms today.
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