Review: Invisible Circus, No Dress Rehearsal

Invisible Circus: No Dress Rehearsal is a feature length documentary by Bristol film-maker Naomi Smyth, about the Invisible Circus, who started in a Bristol squat in 2006. By 2009, they had moved on to throw a series of massive, legendary show/parties with the complete acquiescence of the authorities. I know they were massive and legendary: I was there.

I saw this film earlier this year, when I mainly went to check that there was no footage of me, falling out of my corset. (It's ok, you're safe, and so am I!) What I hadn't expected was that the film really delivers a gripping narrative, albeit one told quite slowly.

The Invisible Circus start in a squat (about to be converted into yuppie flats) and put on a show. They get evicted. So far, so very countercultural. But then they get ideas above their station, and astonishingly, start to make them happen. They move into another squat (the film doesn't stint on the squalor and filth left by the previous occupants) get evicted, then a small, disused police station, on lease from the council. Then they make an agreement with a property developer, get access to a Victorian ex-Cathedral, and start turning themselves into a proper organisation, with all the bureaucracy that entails.

Finally, they agree a lease on a whole city centre block, the gothic Old Police and Fire Station, and start putting on huge immersive circus shows which transform the entire block into a strange, twisted, neo-Victorian fairground. In one of the final scenes of the film, the camera zooms down on hundreds of faces, as aerialistes bounce from ropes between buildings, and fireworks explode off the balconies. I am, I think, one of those faces, staring up, in a sort of childlike ooh of wonder. It really was wondrous, and one thing the film, perhaps, fails to capture was the sheer atmosphere conjured up in this weird world.

There are a number of really interesting things about this film. First, all the contradictions that are thrown up by moving a 'countercultural' project into legal status. Second, the internal struggles of the group as they attempt to resolve anarchist, co-operative politics with the 'leadership' of charismatic frontman Doug Francis. As dictators go, Francis seems rather sweet, and the film's funniest and most moving moment is when listings mag Venue manages to reduce him to tears, by giving an award that was meant for the company, to him alone.

Naomi Smyth

Weirdly, it is also a fascinating picture of a phenomenon, as assorted property developers bang on about how people will always want upmarket flats. The film goes as far as 2009, so doesn't actually mention that most of the property firms who so generously allowed this bunch of talented scruffballs to access their property have since gone bust. The Invisible Circus, incidentally, are in rude health, which is quite funny. 

Naomi Smyth filmed the Invisible Circus, as part of the crew, over a period of four years. She has never made a feature film before, and can be very proud of what she has turned out. The film is fascinating and thought-provoking in so many ways. It is not without its contradictions, principally between the act of archiving what went on and making a running narrative. It could probably do with being ten minutes shorter, but still it's a fascinating watch.

The best thing about this film is that it is a genuine narrative, peopled by a vibrant array of characters, and like any proper story has a happy ending, via a lot of struggle on the way. It is also a moment in time, caught, like a fly in amber, the world before the boom went bust, and its counterweight, those who were locked out but who wouldn't go away. If you get a chance to see it, do, you'll find yourself thinking about it for a long time after.

Invisible Circus: No Dress Rehearsal is distributed by Future Artists. For info on screenings in Newcastle, Manchester, and London click here, or for showings at Bristol's Tobacco Factory, here. It will also be showing in London at Channel 4 on the 16th Nov.

The Financial Crisis Explained, via Downton Abbey

I have lost my ability to watch news about the ongoing economic crisis. When I see Angela Merkel on TV, my brain blanks out what she's saying and goes: 'uh... lalala...ooh, she looks tired'. Christine Lagarde: 'yeah... blah... wow, nice suit'. No disrespect to either of these ladies, both of whom I hold in better regard than the average fuckwit who governs us, but I just can't concentrate on what they're saying.

I feel I am not alone. Last week a man in London lost $2billion, causing a slight raised eyebrow, followed by a wave of boredom. On thursday, the London Stock Exchange crashed through the 5000 barrier, causing millions across the nation to skip straight to the 2nd item in the newspaper.

Across the world, little numbers on people's computer screens are dying. And nobody, except the alleged owners of the alleged numbers, really cares. I have a theory about why. 1) Most people cannot understand economics. 2) Nobody believes that money is real anyway 3) Everyone has long-since concluded we are governed by a bunch of corrupt, incompetent theives, and frankly, we expect no less of 'em. 4) They are out panic-buying beans, before there's a queue for panic-buying beans.

The general and fundamental problem is that we have a ruling class who, despite the endless speeches, really have no idea how to deal with a massive crisis, because they were brought up in the previous century, when everything was hunky-dory. Bit like in 1914. Which brings me onto my next point. If the financial crisis isn't exercising the nation's imagination, I tell you what is: the return of Downton Abbey to our TV screens. I know, because I have a special twitometer which tells me these things. However, watching Downton Abbey is a bit like the financial crisis, and I'm going to explain why. Pay attention at the back, please!

1) The Big House = The Big Society. A small proportion of it loaf around, wondering about how they can best pass on their money, while the majority of the inhabitants are busy scrubbing floors. Chances of it surviving Series 2/Global Financial Crash 2 = depends who gets shot in the process.

 2) Violet, Dowager Countess Grantham, is Christine Largarde, while Isobel Crawley is Angela Merkel. Since one is Aristocratic/French and the other is Bourgeois/German, these two grand dames don't see eye to eye.

Dame Maggie Smith is

the Director of the IMF

Chances of surviving Series 2/Global Financial Crash 2 = Dowager Countess Lagarde will still be wearing great outfits and looking down aristocratic nose, long after last assault/austerity program has finished, while practical frumpster Isobel/Angela will try to implement lots of useful schemes to allievate disaster, making not much difference whatsoever. Penelope Wilton has, in fact, already signed to play Merkel in forthcoming movie Downfall 2: the Eurozone.*

Penelope Wilton is

The German Chancellor

3) The Earl of Crawley = politicians everywhere. Likes to think he's a decent, liberal sort of chap. In reality, unable to tie his shoelaces without staff doing it for him. Mostly thinks about how he can bequeath his title to a suitable successor, and is bit baffled by intrusion of real problem. Deluded by grandeur of own position. Chances of surviving Series 2/Global Financial Crash 2 = unlikely to go near any real explosions, at any time.

 4) Matthew = the middle classes. Initially derided for being a bit arriviste, and for doing actual work instead of just owning wealth, in a crisis his common sense, decency, and willingness to get on with the job in hand are showing his real value. Unfortunately, right now, his job in hand is to get slaughtered/shot at. Chances of surviving Series 2/Global Financial Crash 2 without being maimed, damaged, or otherwise traumatised = virtually nil.

5) Cora, Countess Crawley = The Americans. Having bailed everyone out during the backstory/Recession 1.0, they have no more cash to throw at anyone's problems. Chances of pulling something out of the hat to get everyone through Series 2/Global Financial Crash 2 without blood-letting = none whatsoever.

6) Lady Mary Crawley = The youth of Europe. Ideally would like to form an equal alliance with the middle classes, but may end up in soul-destroying bondage to some disgusting old man with money, in order to keep body and soul together. Chances of getting through Series 2/Global Financial Crash 2 with dignity intact = not much, though may hold out for a happy ending eventually, by advantage of being younger than everyone else.

7) Hot chauffeur Tom Branson = the indignados and associated activist class. Always banging on about socialism, is the only person who can work the latest technology, and has no respect for class and all that mumbo-jumbo. Chances of surviving Series 2/Global Financial Crash 2 without getting gassed, shot down, or imprisoned = absolutely nil. However back he will be, possibly in a position of influence, and probably a great deal angrier. May make off with:

8) Wibbly posh liberal Sybil Crawley = wibbly posh liberals everywhere. May succumb to the charm, tech-fiddling abilities and undeniable sex appeal of the above, or may fall back on inherent poshness and run scared. Chances of surviving Series 2/Global Financial Crash 2 without rampant disillusionment: none.

9) John Bates & Anna Smith = everyman & woman, everywhere. Just want to escape servitude and have a nice little business of their own, a bit of dignity and a couple of kids. Unfortunately for them, Mr Bates has previously signed an unwise contract with:

10) Comedy villian Vera Bates = the banks. Mrs Bates/the banks don't want the couple to settle and run a small business, rather she/they are determined to screw every last penny out of the poor man by fair means or foul. Chances of surviving Series 2/Global Financial Crash 2 = everyone else is waiting for this cardboard villian to go away and die, preferably quite horribly, so the long-suffering couple can live a quiet and inoffensive life, together. Not likely to be banished by early episodes, due to unerring willingness and ability to blackmail people.

Next on Downton Abbey, somebody gets shot or gassed, while lots of people wring their hands and say how awful it is. Next in the Global Financial Crisis: somebody gets shot or gassed, while lots of people... ok, you get my drift. See? I rest my case.

Downton Abbey will be on ITV on Sunday night at 9pm. The Global Financial Crisis will be on your TV for the next six months, or longer. Schedules may vary according to which part of Europe you live in.
*I made that bit up