Wonderfully offbeat film!

Gripping story with well-crafted characters

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.

Blistering performances.

Filmed in 2007 by Astrid Schult, this touching documentary portrays new child poverty in Germany: Together with his single mother and two younger siblings, 8 year old Dominik lives in a high rise low income housing-project in Berlin-Hellersdorf. His mother's helplessness forces him to take the role of an adult and manage the family's everyday-life. Just as his father should have done. The viewer gets to know a very lonely boy, who is torn between the obligations of an adult and the dreams of a small boy. Dominik's sad story represents a reality and destiny for many children in today's Germany. The film "Zirkus is nich" opens ones' eye to a major issue of Germany's society and encourages viewers to discuss and act.