As much as I love getting a jump on seeing films like 127 HOURS and LET ME IN…it’s movies like BALADA TRISTE (or THE LAST CIRCUS as it’s being called in english) that always stick with me when festivals end. There the sort of film that are are unlike anything I’ve seen before…and quite often, there films that I never get to see again.

The story uses the backdrop of a circus. In the beginning, a circus performance is interrupted to recruit all able-bodied men into The Spanish Revolution. Thus, a battle scene takes place that includes a machete wielding clown in full make-up. The clown is ultimately taken captive, but his son Javier is still free. Thirty-something years later, Javier returns to the circus life, and gets himself a job as the sad clown. He is assisting Sergio, who happens to have a girlfriend named Natalia – the circus’ acrobat.

The three enter into an odd little love triangle of conflicting personalities. While a love triangle might not seem all that interesting, believe me such soap operas become very memorable when they involve daredevil motorcyclists and jealous elephants.

BALADA TRISTE won’t be for everyone as it has some moments of brutal violence, and what some have called blatant misogyny (the director begs to differ). But in a world where it feels like we’ve seen everything, seeing two clowns go at it with knives and shotguns is certainly novel.

I believe the best way to sum the movie up, is to repeat what my friend James said to me as we sat down to watch the show: Prepare for Opera. This is a spectacle of melodrama, tragedy, vengeance, and lavishness. Every action is driven by passion – political, romantic, personal and misguided. And just like most operas out there, ya just know that it can’t possibly end well. BALADA TRISTE is a little tough to watch at times, but completely unforgettable.

BALADA TRISTE plays TIFF once more – Sunday September 19th at 9:15pm