We had an enthusiastic audience who were thrilled to attend this Premiere. Here is one particularly articulate response to your film which I have just received, from Ian McPherson!
"Chris Menges' film, which I had never heard of, was astonishingly good. I don't know why it isn't talked of in the canon of great British documentaries from Grierson to Jennings, Ken Loach and so on. The photography is worthy of any the great photographers, such as Bill Brandt who Chris also mentioned in his remarks. There is a wonderful non-judgemental sympathy with the circus folk which suffuses the film with great warmth and eloquence - giving a voice to people who seldom had one. The passage of time has only magnified its importance, documenting ways of life which have largely vanished, and we should be profoundly grateful that people like Chris did so, and with such skill and poetry. The 'mundane' moments - on the scooter, in the laundrette, playing football, watching tv, in the alleyways of caravans, the girls and their ponies - captured something about people long before the self-consciousness of the digital era which is priceless now, and so very poignant."
Ian McPherson
review.: 9. Jan 23.
"Chris Menges' film, which I had never heard of, was astonishingly good. I don't know why it isn't talked of in the canon of great British documentaries from Grierson to Jennings, Ken Loach and so on. The photography is worthy of any the great photographers, such as Bill Brandt who Chris also mentioned in his remarks. There is a wonderful non-judgemental sympathy with the circus folk which suffuses the film with great warmth and eloquence - giving a voice to people who seldom had one. The passage of time has only magnified its importance, documenting ways of life which have largely vanished, and we should be profoundly grateful that people like Chris did so, and with such skill and poetry. The 'mundane' moments - on the scooter, in the laundrette, playing football, watching tv, in the alleyways of caravans, the girls and their ponies - captured something about people long before the self-consciousness of the digital era which is priceless now, and so very poignant."
Ian McPherson
review.: 9. Jan 23.
