Send in the Clowns

Send in the Clowns

2 Episodes

Two legendary directors explore the human condition through the laughter and tears of a clown. Before he became famous for his minimalist-cool crime dramas, Jean-Pierre Melville made his directorial debut with the short 24 HOURS IN THE LIFE OF A CLOWN, a charming look at the behind-the-scenes world of a circus clown and his partner, who find inspiration for their act in their everyday lives. Then, Federico Fellini runs away with the circus in his poetic masterpiece LA STRADA, featuring a heartbreaking performance from the great Giulietta Masina as a naive young woman whose simple goodness is exploited by Anthony Quinn’s brutish traveling strongman.

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Send in the Clowns
  • 24 Hours in the Life of a Clown

    Episode 1

    Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville • 1946 • France

    Jean-Pierre Melville's first directorial effort was this 1946 short film about a clown and his partner, who find inspiration one day in the streets for their performance in the circus that night.

  • La strada

    Episode 2

    Directed by Federico Fellini • 1954 • Italy
    Starring Giulietta Masina, Anthony Quinn, Richard Basehart

    With this breakthrough film, Federico Fellini launched both himself and his wife and collaborator Giulietta Masina to international stardom, breaking with the neorealism of his early career in ...