Circus culture is a space of diversity, cooperation and integration. A magical space with real people. "Circus Movements" was shot with circus kids from Ethiopia - Liya and Beza, doing the hula hoop; Habtamnesh, doing the aerial hoop; and the Beniyam, only 5 years old, performing acrobatics. Collectively, they are great circus artists performing in the magnificent landscapes of Ethiopia.
Lukas Berger worked on photography and film projects in Ethiopia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Burkina Faso, Russia and many European countries. His first film "Circus Debere Berhan" (2015) had the world premiere in 20th Milano Film Festival and was screened at more than 30 film festivals, winning 2 international awards. He directed "Circus Movements" (2019) that premiered at the 57th Ann Arbor Film Festival in USA and was selected for the 68th Melbourne Film Festival, 16th Vienna Shorts and 23rd PÖFF Shorts.
Mário Gajo de Carvalho has 4 university diplomas in Arts and Cinema. His first short is "The Millionaires", which premiered and awarded at IndieLisboa 2011. He directed the short "The Boy and the Owl" which had the premiere at the 29th CineMagic in UK and co-directed "Circus Movements" in 2019 that premiered at the 57th Ann Arbor Film Festival in USA and was selected for the 68th Melbourne Film Festival, 16th Vienna Shorts and 23rd PÖFF Shorts.
15 minutes
Image: 16x9
Sound: Stereo
Format: HD
Experimental Documentary
(Artists from Circus Debere Berhan)
Liya Awrares
Beza Abebe
Habtamnesh Bahailo
Dawit Berihan
Beniyam Bahailo
Alamseged Kefyalew
Fakrata Segaye
Marshet W/Agegnw
Abonesh Yelma
Zakarias Kefyalew
Woreku Bekele
Yegle Beleta
Lukas Berger
Mário Gajo de Carvalho
Teklu Ashagir
Lukas Berger
Mário Gajo de Carvalho
Lukas Berger
Trngo Behailo
Mário Gajo de Carvalho
Lukas Berger
Mário Gajo de Carvalho
Toumani Diabate
Tim Hecker
Akale Wube
Tefayé Abbèbè
Ayaléw Abbèbè
Girma Bèyènè
Mário Gajo de Carvalho
Lukas Berger
The film Circus Movements portrays high skilled circus acrobatics from the African country Ethiopia. To underline the nomadic life of circus acrobats and their culture the film travels through the rich natural scape of the country and shows simple everyday life scenes, that every human is familiar with. The religion that is displayed is the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It is the biggest religion in the country with an interesting history and the majority of the population follows this believe. The variety of circus skills is unique for any circus working in the social field with young and disabled humans. To sharpen the ears of our audience for African music the acts are accompanied by music, that already has its place in music history.