"Little Circus" Director Yoshiro Osaka It was the boys' positive attitude that made the movie possible [Director's Interview Vol.199]

The pandemic that has hit the world has had a serious impact in many places. The children's circus in Cambodia is no exception. The children made a living by working in the circus, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the circus was shut down and their income was cut off. However, they still look forward and live each day to the fullest. The short film ``Little Circus'' depicts the healthy lives of these children.

This movie was made by Japanese director Yoshiro Osaka. How did director Osaka come across this circus and end up making the film? We spoke to the director.

*We are looking for distribution, screening, and distribution locations for the short film "Little Circus." If you are interested after reading this article,Official sitePlease contact us for screening information.

Index

• We met through NGO activities.
• Photographing boys as they are
• The power of movies
• Asian directors who influenced me

We met through NGO activities.

Q: The story is set in an actual children's circus in Cambodia. Please tell us how you met them.  

Osaka: It all started when a friend of mine started an NGO that focuses on creativity and art in developing countries. I discovered this circus while helping with its activities. That was around 2018. The Day After I actually went to Cambodia and filmed circus music videos, documentaries, musicals, etc. I went to Cambodia five or six times over the course of two years, and I stayed there for about six months in total, so I became quite close with the circus kids.

Then, the circus was suddenly shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the circus members lost their means of income. So I decided to make a film about them in hopes of helping them in some way.

Q: So you had already been filming circuses before making this movie. He was trying to make the existence of the circus known to the world through that video.

Osaka: That's right. Although this movie doesn't focus that much on the circus acts, the quality of their performances is extremely high. In Sirimap, where Angkor Wat is located, a circus is performed for tourists from all over the world, and some members of the circus went on to join Cirque du Soleil.

“Little Circus” © 2022 A Little Circus

Q: I heard that this circus was created for children who lost their families during the civil war.

Osaka: The purpose of the circus was to collect war orphans and give them a living and an education. Many of the school's teachers had died in the civil war, so there was a need for a place where they could receive an education. The circus was created for various reasons, including the idea that circus entertainment could heal the wounds of war.

Q: You have made many circus videos, but why did you choose to make this a feature film?

Osaka: I originally had a desire to create a story. Although the film itself is fiction, the story is based on children's experiences during the coronavirus pandemic. The characters' characters are also based on their real-life personalities. The children in the movie turn difficult situations into bright laughter and move forward with confidence. That positivity is something they actually have.

Photographing boys as they are