Bye Bye Blackbird [2005] [DVD]

Description

Starring Derek Jacobi and Jodhi May, Bye Bye Blackbird is a tragic and compelling love story set in a turn of the century travelling circus. When Josef falls in love with the beautiful trapeze artist, Alice, he knows the only way to woo her is if he too masters the trapeze. Lord Dempsey the circus owner and Alice's father is at first opposed to Jpsef's attempts to create a new act but as he sees how talented Josef is he reluctantly agrees to allow it to go ahead. On the night of the first time the act is performed Alice falls and word reaches the camp that she has died. Josef is destroyed and vows never to set foot on the ground again. Using Josef as a curious circus act Lord Dempsey tours the circus through various European cities until his popularity begins to wane and he persuades Josef to recreate the act, solo. But in doing so Josef is plagued by terrible visions and the scene is set for a final unexpected revelation. Elegantly filmed by photographer Robinson Savary, Bye Bye Blackbird has a stellar cast including stage and screen star Derek Jacobi in the role of Lord Dempsey and James Thierree, in his first lead role as Josef, who gre up in a circus and is an acrobat, performer and musician and creaor of 'La Veillee des abysses' a French circus. Winner of the FIPRESCI Prize at the Taormina International Film Festival.