Film Review: The Butterfly Circus
The Butterfly Circus - directed by Joshua Weigel
Cheri Natale – ENG 3051
Alyson van Beinum
http://vimeo.com/17150524 Complete short http://vimeo.com/17474072 2 minute teaser
“If you could only see the beauty that can come from ashes”
Butterfly Circus is a 20 minute dramatic short film which is a testament to the power of hope and faith in oneself. It is a wonderful reflection of the themes of good and evil, man vs. man, man vs. himself and hope conquers all. It can be viewed as a religious film but need not be. If you believe in yourself, you will be saved.
Synopsis
During the Great Depression, the Showman of a renowned circus starring those with unique abilities, rather than those with oddities, takes his troupe on the road. The barren American landscape reflects the loss of soul. The extreme poverty is filmed with a surreal lens. The Butterfly Circus troupe entertain people and bring joy to them along the way. They meet Will (Nick Vujicic), a limbless man, who is the star “attraction” at a carnival. Will stows away in their truck and joins the Butterfly Circus however as a bystander. Will, as many others in the circus, must overcome his lack of self-worth and triumph through hope and faith. He, in truth, is a caterpillar who must inwardly transform in order to prove his worthiness and join a circus of those who believe in themselves. His metamorphoses is complete when he triumphs over his struggle for self-worth and indeed becomes a valued person in the group. In the end a disabled boy hugs Will for teaching him he, too, can overcome his physical disability.
A) In what grade level/course would you teach this text? Are there other courses for which it might also be appropriate?
I would teach this film in both English and Religion classes. I believe it is appropriate for Grades 9 through 12 although the discussion and depth of understanding will be quite different. The Grade 9’s may take this film at face
Cheri Natale – ENG 3051
Alyson van Beinum
http://vimeo.com/17150524 Complete short http://vimeo.com/17474072 2 minute teaser
“If you could only see the beauty that can come from ashes”
Butterfly Circus is a 20 minute dramatic short film which is a testament to the power of hope and faith in oneself. It is a wonderful reflection of the themes of good and evil, man vs. man, man vs. himself and hope conquers all. It can be viewed as a religious film but need not be. If you believe in yourself, you will be saved.
Synopsis
During the Great Depression, the Showman of a renowned circus starring those with unique abilities, rather than those with oddities, takes his troupe on the road. The barren American landscape reflects the loss of soul. The extreme poverty is filmed with a surreal lens. The Butterfly Circus troupe entertain people and bring joy to them along the way. They meet Will (Nick Vujicic), a limbless man, who is the star “attraction” at a carnival. Will stows away in their truck and joins the Butterfly Circus however as a bystander. Will, as many others in the circus, must overcome his lack of self-worth and triumph through hope and faith. He, in truth, is a caterpillar who must inwardly transform in order to prove his worthiness and join a circus of those who believe in themselves. His metamorphoses is complete when he triumphs over his struggle for self-worth and indeed becomes a valued person in the group. In the end a disabled boy hugs Will for teaching him he, too, can overcome his physical disability.
A) In what grade level/course would you teach this text? Are there other courses for which it might also be appropriate?
I would teach this film in both English and Religion classes. I believe it is appropriate for Grades 9 through 12 although the discussion and depth of understanding will be quite different. The Grade 9’s may take this film at face