Circus (1/17/19)

     I was curious if Russian Cinema would take a stance on the racial inequality that was going on in the 20th century, but I kind of figured there was no real diversity in Russia. I sort of figured that the majority of Russia was white, especially in the 30's but I did a little research after this and found some articles saying that a small amount of African Americans actually moved to Russia during the 30's to search for a better life and they found it there. Apparently the ending of this film where they actors show the world that Russia loves all people was actually more truth than propaganda. This was the most blatant propaganda in a film I have ever seen and I really enjoyed it I found it pretty humorous with just the overwhelming amount of Pro-Russia imagery at the end of the film. Not only there but also sort of scattered throughout the film. It was far more blatant than the previous film but after learning the history of the censorship and rules for producing film in that time made it all super interesting to see in action in this film.

    I had a great time watching this movie, I loved the circus scenes, the crazy stunts we see, the childlike effects and main characters were all really charming. The title of Circus in my opinion not only refers to the actual circuses we see but also the series of events and the characters themselves. While they are all performing for the audience they're preforming for us too and even at the end the audience joins in in this performance giving us the Pro-Russia lullaby for the baby that America rejected. Followed by the May Day in honor of all the workers for the world to see. Not only do they show us how great Russia is in the film but they also show how accepting they are of not only minorities, but also Americans in general. They show it is okay to switch to the side of the good guys and it shows that everyone would love to have you in Russia with them. 

     There are various images representing Marion's change to the side of the CCCP. Geographically the opening scene shows the globe spinning taking Marion from the hateful, mean, USA, to the safe CCCP, ripe with opportunity. The one that really stood out to me was at the end of the final when she was coming down on her parachute, a star is cut out from the top of the chute, encircling her in it. The scene continues and the chute covers her with her emerging from the star on the top. This is a very clear image of the Communist flag, with the beautiful American performer being born again through it. Another image that I have just mistaken was in her first performance when she spins on her moon hoop in the air there appears to be a shiny star and another shiny cut out that looks to me like a sickle at a few points but at other times just looks like a regular shiny spiral. But it could show that even in her early moments in Russia she was thinking about a life there. 

     Another interesting thing to me is while this was made under Communism there was a lot of talk of money and capitol. Especially when in relation to Marion, the American, the Capitalist. They mention her pay often and it is a big reveal at the end that she wants to be payed in rupees. This is interesting, it seems to be a slight dig at Americans, it doesn't seem like it now but at the time I imagine this would be a dig at Americans and Capitalism in general, the fact that they are focused on the money instead of the work like a good communist. Along with this the fact that Marion has a maid to take care of her child, this would give her a negative, lazy connotation as she doesn't do her work for herself.
     While I did enjoy the sort of absurdity of most of the characters in the film, the bratty attitude of  the circus owner's daughter, the stupidity of her boyfriend, the short temper of the circus owner and the boyish charm of Petrovich, Marion really had all my interest and attention throughout the film. I loved seeing her struggle with her past, it was a really dark subplot for a film about a circus, I loved seeing her struggle with her act to. When it was her last show in Russia after being turned away by Petrovich, her somber rendition of her once happy song was so hard to watch. I loved her character, I loved her change from the perfect hair and makeup to being herself in the end. The idea of her hiding away under the black wig and layers of makeup was a a very good metaphor that I don't feel was too heavy handed. I loved seeing her stare into the camera, her expressions were so emotional. I loved the shots where she stood in front of her giant face plastered on the wall. The way she showed scorn from scandal, and the difficulties of performance was incredible. I think her magnetism as a character also lends very nicely to her job as a performer in the film itself.

     All the characters in this film were colorful and childlike and I really liked that in the setting of the circus. I loved seeing the old Russian Circus stunts with the animals doing the outrageous things. I really love the history of circuses and the stunts involved, that made the openings to this film really enjoyable for me. I was a little bit confused at the scene towards the end where the monkey shot the very real looking gun but it wasn't lingered on so I just won't think about it. I loved the propaganda, I loved the stunts and the characters. The letter mix up was alright it was a little bit too little too late in my opinion though as every character in the film knew who they loved and who loved them the only real person who was fooled by it was Rayechka who was really painted as wimpy and stupid throughout it. Unlike Irony of Fate this comedy of errors was solved very quickly but it was still enjoyable. All the comedy was solid, I liked the sort of silent film acting that these actors employed with their exaggerated movement and facial expressions. I loved the drawn on looking effects of the frozen window and the wings and I absolutely loved Marion's final dance. It was all very entertaining and interesting to see how artists could make Cinema for the Masses in such ways.