Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Director Aaron Schock had his camera following members of a circus family in Mexico and they went about their daily life, performances and road trips. This family which included 4 children, all performers, roamed from one small town to the other to make a meagre living through their performances - a dying art. Life was not easy, but even the children seemed to be content with that life style.Acting was flawless and often you think the it was done without the family members knowing the camera was there. There was also a candid look into the usual problems within a family, including the conflict between the parents over the wellbeing of the children. Through this film you will have a good, honest look into the lives of a family that you would not otherwise relate to.The bonus materials is good, too. An update on the family after the film was done gives the viewing an interesting closure. I highly recommended this film to anyone seeking a story in real life, and not Hollywood escapism.

I found this documentary to be somewhat melancholic but eye-opening regarding a small family owned circus traveling throughout Mexico. You are witness to the terribly hard work that goes into its' operation for quite small renumeration.The family bonds are the cement that keeps it all together. I found the children of the circus family to be the highlight of the film, with their eternal optimism regardless of the circumstances.The most distressing part of the documentary was to see how the animals are housed and generally cared for.The film contains a number of surprises, though, and goes in directions that you don't expect. In total, it was a rather fascinating look at the inner workings of a small traveling circus.

From the opening shots as this small family circus rolls into another town we are struck by how hardworking, courageous and creative they are. As this richly satisfying documentary unfolds we come to care deeply about the Ponce family we get to know through the lens of the single camera and the perspective of director and one man film crew, Aaron Schock.Schock was there for Q and A at the Palm Springs film festival last week where most of the questions were about what happened next. The answers were as inspiring as the film. If you get a chance to see Circo, don't miss it!