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The Circus Tent (Thamp̄) (PG)

Rewriting the Rules

,Cinema 3
Two women hold hands whilst riding on bicycles.

A visually stunning and poetic exploration of the inner lives of a travelling circus trope in which old age, loneliness and regret becomes magnified through Govindan Aravindan’s salient observation.

In the dialogue-free opening to The Circus Tent, we follow a truck as it meanders its way through the costal landscape of Kerala, coming to a stop at a local town where the children come running excitedly to greet the travelling circus. 

The arrival of the circus feels ritualistic, celebratory, but more importantly an outlet for the local people, an enthralling spectacle they can escape into for a short time. The Circus Tent is hailed by many as Keralan filmmaker Govindan Aravindan’s masterpiece. 

The restoration of The Circus Tent in 2021 by the Film Heritage Foundation, India, brings to life the extraordinary pictorial sensibilities of a film that has thankfully been reclaimed and is now being rediscovered by a new generation of filmgoers. 

Tagged with: Cinema Rewriting the Rules: Pioneering Indian Cinema after 1970 Art & design

India 1978 Dir Govindan Aravindan 129 min Malayalam with English subtitles Digital presentation

Screening courtesy of the Film Heritage Foundation and Second Run DVD. The Circus Tent is available for home viewing on blu-ray. 

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Cinema 3

Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue. 

Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.