Carnies
R Squared Films
R1 DVD
I
have always found the world of the sideshow fascinating; it is such a bizarre
mixture of exploitation and empowerment. In a period when the deformed, or
indeed just the strange, could not survive in society, it provided a means to
make a living, even if it meant being gawped at by others. The series Carnivale
especially impressed me, exploring the inner workings of the life of the
Carnies with their own forms of society with its own rules and forms of
justice.
It's
1936 and the Great Depression has hit the United States. There is no work and
little food to go round. Many people take up jobs in the circus and sideshow
pretending to be exotic creatures, strongmen and just about anything the
gullible public can be fooled with.
The
sideshow is filled with all manner of freaks from the fake Wildman from Borneo
who bites the heads of chickens to snake handles, fire eating dwarves, cooch girls and sword swallowers. The soundtrack is typical
carnival music and creates an interesting mood but at times is a little
overused.
As
the circus winds into Bakersfield things begin to go wrong. Pressure is placed
for more and more protection music and a “great evil” is haunting the sideshow
killings carny folk. Detective Ellison (Reggie Bannister) is reluctantly called
in to find the killer.
While
this may be a bit of a B grader in terms of acting, the premise, plot and
imagery is solid and it makes a change from traditional horror entertainment.
It is an original period piece and certainly interesting viewing.
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