The Last American Freak Show

20082008
Not RatedNot Rated
1h 25m

IMDb RATING

5.7/10

YOUR RATING

Documentary

Music

UK director Richard Butchins takes the road trip of his life when he joins a group of disabled performers who decide to live their lives on their terms. On tour in a 20 year old school bus, ... Read allUK director Richard Butchins takes the road trip of his life when he joins a group of disabled performers who decide to live their lives on their terms. On tour in a 20 year old school bus, travelling 2500 miles across America, the 'freaks' worked their way through the wild west.... Read allUK director Richard Butchins takes the road trip of his life when he joins a group of disabled performers who decide to live their lives on their terms. On tour in a 20 year old school bus, travelling 2500 miles across America, the 'freaks' worked their way through the wild west. Laughing, crying and drinking - a carnival of the damned -searching for a home...

IMDb RATING

5.7/10

YOUR RATING

Director
- Richard Butchins

Top credits

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Awards
- 3 nominations

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Storyline

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UK director Richard Butchins takes the road trip of his life when he joins a group of disabled performers who decide to live their lives on their terms. On tour in a 20 year old school bus, travelling 2500 miles across America, the 'freaks' worked their way through the wild west. Laughing, crying and drinking - a carnival of the damned -searching for a home... —Anonymous

carnival

social justice

roadtrip

disability

circus

1 more

Genres
- Documentary
- Music
Certificate
- Not Rated
Parents guide
- Add content advisory

User reviews3

Review

Top review

8/10

interesting and compelling film about struggling disabled side show

This film tells you about a group of indigent disabled Americans travelling in a self styled freak show. Its shot in a rough and ready manner by an English disabled filmmaker who travels along with them across the western states of the USA.

It's a sort of 'magic bus' type journey except with no magic. The troupe are drunken and disorganised. the leader a non-disabled woman spouts all this PC crap whilst blatantly exploiting the members of the group. The films style matches the content and is skilfully edited to give a sense of disorientation. There are some nice touches with the music and the end credits are over a very bizarre screaming opera singer.

I know the film caused some controversy in the UK because of its unsentimental and ruthless portrayal of the reality of disability. It's not always an easy watch but who said all film has to be entertaining although it does have it's funny moments and it's worth the journey to the end.

check it out if you get the chance

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