Invisible Circus: No Dress Rehearsal (2010)

Invisible Circus: No Dress Rehearsal is an inspirational feature doc from first-time director Naomi Smyth. Charismatic ringmaster Doug Francis leads his anarchist circus from margins to mainstream with the motto 'If it's not impossible, we're not interested'. The 3 year span of the film takes them from chaotic squat crew to licensed building managers with huge show budgets- via rotting garages, crumbling cathedrals and finally a takeover of Bristol's ex-police HQ. Doug collaborates with corporate developers to use derelict space for stunning circus spectacles and working arts spaces. Relationships in the close team reveal the gain and the pain of success, but 3 years on and they're still working for free. Profit or loss?