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Balada Triste (The Last Circus)

Balada Triste (The Last Circus)

Balada triste

Álex de la Iglesia

  • Country: Spain, France
  • Year: 2010
  • Language: Spanish
  • Producer: Gerardo Herrero, Vérane Frédiani, , Franck Ribière
  • Executive Producer: Mariela Besuievsky
  • Screenplay: Álex de la Iglesia
  • Runtime: 99
  • Programmes:

Álex de la Iglesia's genius for dark humour is at its most eloquent in his latest parody about the Spanish Civil War. Two clowns attack and disfigure one another in jealous rages over a beautiful dancer. In the name of love, they destroy the very object of their affection.

Alienation,  Comedy,  Spain

screening times

    • Tuesday September 14
    • 9:45:00 PM
    • SCOTIABANK THEATRE 1
    • Wednesday September 15
    • 2:00:00 PM
    • AMC 7
    • Sunday September 19
    • 9:15:00 PM
    • AMC 3

Note: indicates Premium Screening.

official description

Álex de la Iglesia’s latest feature, Balada Triste (The Last Circus), is a wild and hilarious film that exposes the nature of political conflicts in his country’s recent history. Set in a circus, the film offers a pointed metaphor for the Spanish Civil War and the years of Franco’s dictatorship. The war and its aftermath have been the subject of many films, but never has the darkness and absurdity of this period in Spain been so eloquently expressed.

The film begins in 1937, as circus workers are forced to aid the Republican army in a battle against the National front. The Silly Clown (Santiago Segura), dressed in full costume, manages to wreak havoc on their ranks with a machete. When his young son Javier (Carlos Areces) attempts to help him escape from a work camp, Colonel Salcedo (Sancho Gracia) thwarts his efforts and Javier is left an orphan.

In 1973, Javier, now an adult, lands a gig as the sad clown in a circus. The silly clown, Sergio (Antonio de la Torre), is a cruel thug who terrorizes his co-workers and beats his girlfriend, the beguiling dancer Natalia (Carolina Bang). Javier, easy to seduce, falls deeply in love with her, leading the two men to fight for her affections in one jealous rage after another.

De la Iglesia’s genius for dark humour is at its most eloquent in this farcical tragicomedy which is complemented by an excellent cast. Bold and personal, original and adventurous, Balada Triste (The Last Circus) takes us on an unpredictable trek that culminates in a showdown at the Valley of the Fallen, the monument that Franco had built to honour the soldiers that had died during the Civil War. Just as the two factions in Spain destroyed the very thing that they claimed to honour, these two clowns manage to turn love into an annihilating force.

Diana Sanchez

director bio

Álex de la Iglesia was born in Bilbao, Spain and has a degree in philosophy from the University of Deutso. He directed his first film, Mirindas Asesinas, in 1991. His other films include Mutant Action (92), The Day of the Beast (95), Perdita Durango (97), Dying of Laughter (99), The Commonwealth (00), Ferpect Crime (04) and The Last Circus (10).

full credits

Principal Cast: Antonio de la Torre, Carlos Areces, Carolina Bang, Santiago Segura, Fernando Guillén Cuervo, Fran Perea, Sancho Gracia
Producer: Gerardo Herrero, Vérane Frédiani, , Franck Ribière
Executive Producer: Mariela Besuievsky
Cinematographer: Kiko de la Rica
Editor: Alejandro Lázaro
Sound: Carlos Schmukler
Music: Roque Baños
Production Designer: Eduardo Hidalgo
   
International Sales Agent: Films Distribution
Production Company: Tornasol Films
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