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Circo

Play trailer Poster for Circo Released Apr 1, 2011 1h 15m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Throughout the world, the circus is an old-fashioned form of entertainment that's slowly fading away, and in Mexico, the situation is no different. The Ponces, captained by lead manager and ringmaster Tino, struggle to bring in the crowds and keep their generations-old family business going strong. Compounding this challenge is a weakened economy, particularly in the rural areas where the Ponces pitch their big tent. The soundtrack is enlivened by the music of country-rock band Calexico.

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Circo

Critics Reviews

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Jennie Punter Globe and Mail Circo takes you to the edge of human experience on a path none of this summer's superhero daredevils would ever consider taking. Rated: 3/4 Jul 22, 2011 Full Review Joe Williams St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Circo" is an amazing feat. Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 3, 2011 Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Circo ends somewhat arbitrarily and could benefit from a stronger conclusion, but its portrait of a lifestyle that's at once shabby and glittery is finely etched. Rated: 3/5 Apr 29, 2011 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Circo almost feels like a narrative feature with its twisting stories and unexpected turns. Rated: 3.5/4.0 Sep 5, 2020 Full Review Chris Hewitt St. Paul Pioneer Press The colors are vivid, the acrobats nimble, the animals impressive and the hard work of Ponce and his extended family has nobility and poignancy. Rated: 3.5/4 May 20, 2011 Full Review Tricia Olszewski Washington City Paper Running off and joining the circus won't seem like such a fun idea after watching Circo. May 6, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member The least enjoyable doc I've seen. Poorly put together, depressing subject matter and just more than s bit boring. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Great Documentary about a circus family trying to hold it all together, in rural Mexico. Exciting and heartbreaking all at once. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member This was VERY well done!!! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Follows a nomadic Mexican circus family as they travel all over the country, balancing home life (however home is defined in such a situation) and work life. This is a fascinating movie. There's nothing like it out there. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member What a refreshing birds eye view of this Family`s mechanics , i am a better person by allowing myself to just enjoy and cheer for this wonderful human beings, can not say a single moment one does not root for this Cirqueros... Felicidadez a toda la Familia POnce... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member beautifully captured. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Circo

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Cast & Crew

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Aaron Schock

Director

Moises Ponce

Actor

Alexia Ponce

Actor

Tino Ponce

Actor

Alejandra Ponce

Actor

Mark Becker

Screenwriter

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Circo

A scene from "Circo." The Ponce family in "Circo." (L-R) Alexia Ponce and Reyna Ponce in "Circo." Moisés Galindo in "Circo." Reyna Ponce in "Circo." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Throughout the world, the circus is an old-fashioned form of entertainment that's slowly fading away, and in Mexico, the situation is no different. The Ponces, captained by lead manager and ringmaster Tino, struggle to bring in the crowds and keep their generations-old family business going strong. Compounding this challenge is a weakened economy, particularly in the rural areas where the Ponces pitch their big tent. The soundtrack is enlivened by the music of country-rock band Calexico.
Director
Aaron Schock
Producer
Jannat Gargi
Screenwriter
Mark Becker, Aaron Schock
Distributor
First Run
Production Co
Hecho a Mano, C5
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Spanish
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 1, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$77.5K
Runtime
1h 15m
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