FILM SCREENINGS

The Clown

2011. Brazil. Directed by Selton Mello. With Paulo José, Selton Mello. This charming, light-hearted dramedy, cowritten and directed by lead actor Mello, explores identity and the road to self-acceptance. The Circo Esperança (Circus Hope) roams the valleys and mountains of southwestern Brazil. Among its hodgepodge of misfits are the father/son clown duo of Pangaré (Mangled Horse) and Puro Sangue (Pure Blood), who make a living making people laugh. In one pivotal scene, Pangaré asks, “I make people laugh, but who will make me laugh?” His father responds, “In life we have to do what we know how to do.” By capturing the seemingly insignificant moments that make up life in a family or small community, Mello evokes a special time and space and makes it intimately recognizable—even if you've never been part of an exotic circus. Portuguese with English subtitles. 88 min.