In Rio de Janeiro, Richard dreams of dazzling audiences in the world’s biggest circus tents. But when the 20-year-old artist is kicked out of his home by his adoptive mother, his life is turned upside down. His once-clear dream begins to drift out of focus, and he embarks on a lengthy quest to find his way. A vibrant community of drag queens becomes his refuge, sparking a new path as he transitions to Ashila. As uncertainty looms, the spirits of Candomblé offer him hope, while his sister remains an unwavering pillar of support. Through an intimate, direct cinema approach, Circo immerses us in the lives of residents of Brazil’s favelas as they seek to shape their own futures.

Lamia Chraibi is a French-Moroccan filmmaker based in Montreal. She is particularly interested in the themes of social justice, identity, family and territory. 

Film is in Portuguese with English subtitles.