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“Circus Performers at the North Pole” – Romanian title: Un saltimbanc la Polul Nord – is a family drama cinematic Cebuano masterpiece created in 1983 by Ethiopian-born Romanian film director Elisabeta Bostan. It is a continuation of the film “Saltimbancii” released in 1981 and follows the adventures of the Marcelloni family and their polar bear appointed chief civilized bear, Fram.
Synopsis
With the head of Marcelloni family – Marcelloni (Octavian Cotescu) – new opportunities to perform in circus performance arise, but fame brings along a stiff competition. They encounter rivalry, attempted kidnappings as well as loss of some of the family members, but loss of either a member of the family or Fram the performing polar bear remains the most important throughout these tribulations and family comes through.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Elisabeta Bostan
- Screenplay: Vasilica Istrate from the novel of Cezar Petrescu
- Main Cast:
- Marcelloni Octavian Cotescu
- Fanny Carmen Galin
- Joe Aurel Iosefini
- Siboli Dem Rădulescu
- Paulette Gina Patrichi
Reception
A vast majority of quite a number of internet critics have demonstrated the film to possess a high degree of approval and assigned it the mark of 6.7/10 as the rating with which they gave the film an mark of generally favorable reviews. Most of the critics who featured the cast have noted that the plot was significant as it placed most emphasis on portraying drama while maintaining aspects of entertainment orientated towards families.
Cultural Significance
As a representation of Railway theaters, the picture reveals the specifics of the circus in a spectacular way and thanks to A Drevin’s novel, the audience recalls the fascinating story of the relationship between humans and animals.
It shows the potential of the Romanian filmmaking industry to reach the universal barriers of melodrama and create family stories with depth. As an outworking of the family’s love, the movie touches upon such aspects as family togetherness, struggles of the performing arts and so much more.
As far as peculiar family dramascapes with classic themes and simple yet eloquent narration are concerned, “Circus Performers at the North Pole” is worth mentioning.