Freaks Out
Adventurous mix of fantasy and war film, with touches of Fellini and Jeunet, about four circus performers who must flee fascist Rome in 1943.
While the artists are performing in a circus tent in Rome, the circus is bombed. In Mussolini’s Italy, the circus freaks are no longer sure of their lives. Together with their Jewish boss, insect whisperer Cencio, wolfman Fulvio, human magnet Mario and young Matilde – who also possesses a superpower but is reluctant to use her talent – hatch a plan to flee occupied Rome. When their boss disappears, the performers decide to join Berlin Zirkus, a company that includes a clairvoyant twelve-fingered pianist. However, this Franz turns out t have evil plans for the circus performers.
The beautifully designed FREAKS OUT mixes elements from different genres, from superhero movies to fantasy and war drama. The soundtrack is equally eclectic: Strauss and Grieg are interspersed with the partisan song BELLA CIAO and piano versions of well-known hits by Radiohead and Guns N' Roses. The result is a glorious ode to outsiders that was among the audience favourites of the International Film Festival Rotterdam.