Philadelphia Premiere
Circus Kids

National Museum of American Jewish History
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 / 7:30 PM

Director: Alexandra Lipsitz
USA, Israel, 2010, 86 minutes
In English, Hebrew, and Arabic w/ English subtitles *appropriate for ages 9 & up

From filmmaker Alexander Lipsitz comes Circus Kids, a touching documentary about an eclectic group of young circus performers towing the line between friendship and adversity. The film follows an outstanding acrobatic troupe, the St. Louis Arches, made up of Jews and inner-city African Americans. Thanks to a newly forged partnership between their ambitious coach and an Israeli rabbi, the Arches travel to Israel and partner with ramshackle Arab/Jewish youth performers. Between juggling and backflips, language barriers and cultural clashes, the children learn to trust each other and move beyond their fears. Through their global performances, these brave and talented "peace ambassadors" show the world what can happen when humans focus on what they can build together instead of what sets them apart.

FilmConnects: Performance by Stone Soup Circus

Guest speaker: Jessica Hentoff, Founder of St. Louis Arches and Circus Harmony

Fall Film Festival sponsored by SEED THE DREAM FOUNDATION, Marcy Gringlas & Joel Greenberg

Watch the trailer now