Four circus performers and their ringmaster and mentor, Israel, attempt to leave Nazi-occupied Italy during World War II. However, the Nazis have other plans.

Cast

Aurora Giovaniazzo plays Matilde and recently starred in Nostos (2022). Giorgio Tirabassi plays Israel and has recently starred in Boris (2007-2022) television series. Pietro Castellito plays Cencio and recently starred in Enea (2023) television series. Claudio Santamaria plays Fulvio and has starred in Casino Royale (2006). Giancarlo Martini plays Mario and starred in Abbi Fede (2020). Franz Rogowski plays Franz and recently starred in Passages (2023).

Plot

Israel the ringmaster and mentor for the four circus performers of Circus Mezzapiotta: Matilde, the woman who controls electricity and electrocutes anyone who gets too close; Cencio, an albino man who can control all insects; Fulvio, a “man-beast” endowed with superhuman strength; and Mario, the dwarf who can manipulate metal objects. Israel saves enough for the five of them for move to America, but Fulvio has another idea – joining the prestigious Berlin Zircus. Eventually, things begin to fall apart as Israel is captured and sets in motion where the group eventually encounters Franz, a Nazi and a freak just like them. However, Franz is loyal to the Nazis up to a point and then he takes it upon himself to eradicate the circus performers. 

Review

The movie is a fable wrapped in X-Men (2000), the one with Patrick Stewart as Professor Xavier, wrapped with a dash of a love story wrapped in historical fiction. The use of absinthe was historically accurate by the evil Franz and used to further along and somewhat forecast the story rather than just supporting the character. The historical fiction elements were greatly used as well — with the Jews including Israel being captured and transported by train — and the experiments by the Nazis to further their cause. There was some dragging in the mid-part of the movie as Matilde and her associates were finding themselves out. The ending was great and capped off in a short but romantic moment between two circus performers.

Verdict (Out of 10)

Fringe Fiction gives this movie a solid 8 out of 10. Some originality, solid performances and some reasonably plausible historical fiction raised the score.