The Last American Freak Show (2008)

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,... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Butchins

3 nominations.

Storyline

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...

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Plot Keywords:

carnival | social justice | roadtrip | disability | circus | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 July 2008 (Australia)

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Freakshow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

User Reviews

Loved this film!

This is a great film that breaks with the conventional portrayals of disability in the media.

Fun to watch and as haphazard as the tour it documents. It is honest and thoughtful and gives each character more room to define themselves than TV normally allows. It is as much about disability as it is about creating our own identity through the relationships we make with others.

Butchins has accomplished an amazing feat, keeping structure in mayhem and challenging our perceptions of disability as often as the freak show changes vehicles.