Circus Is My Home (Traveling Circus Documentary) | Real Stories

Making this documentary started in 1989, when a chance arose to follow the everyday life of family-owned Circus Finlandia, a young, struggling, travelling troupe. The filming continued over 20 years later.
Back then, Danish-Finnish clown couple Bonbon and Tina were starting their career in Circus Finlandia, and are now back as a celebrated star attraction. Circus Finlandia is now ranked amongst ten of the best European circuses. Bonbon and Tina travel all over the world with their two circus-crazy teenage children. Their son Joakim has a rare genetic disorder called Sotos, and faces different kind of daily struggles. What is it like to lead “normal” family life in circus with a child with special needs?
The founding couple are getting ready to hand the reigns to the next generation. In 1989, their son was only 9 years old. Now he is the director and an internationally known jongleur. At 12, his sister Heidi was performing a hair acrobatics number, and swore never to leave the family circus. Now she has decided to study another profession. What are her reasons for leaving? What kind of future does she hope for, for her own daughter?
Life in circus is often grueling and uncertain. But in what other career does the whole family join in, and the traditions are passed on from one generation to another? That is the strength of traditional circus: it is family friendly entertainment, provided by families, to an audience consisting of all generations.
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[@roberttemple2521]

This is a great documentary. I have loved the badminton act for decades, so nice to hear the story of that act. I am a former circus performer, clown/juggler. I hope that your show thrives always. Thank you for sharing this.

[@your_dad_on_vacation]

I wish the circus was more mainstream/popular

[@FTY13]

It's just that don't advertise so you don't see them on the net or anywhere they just set up and people come from everywhere

[@CurtisAllen-t7g]

You build it they shall come

[@Charlotte66666]

I like the circus but without animals, some of the workers abuse them very badly.

[@FTY13]

That is a load of bulshit it is stereotypes put out by the internet who are trying to kill off the circus it is total crap grow up don't believe in fairy stories

[@jessies3236]

I started watching the circuse kids secret lives and I can not find episode 3 to continue in the series?! No 4 either.. There was a five but I didnt want to miss tgat much! If anyone has found it please share with me!

[@theostheories6548]

Can you share where you got 5? I haven’t been able to find any except one and two. I might see if I can email the company.

[@merdus27]

I always wanted to join a circus and now in a few years I'm finally able to go and join one because of my age and my partner is a circus artist. I can't wait until I can leave with my partner and their fam.

[@bettyakkemaai5499]

This was a beautiful documentary/film. I do admire the people who work so hard in the circus!

[@qtminx1819]

Watching this in November 2020 during the global Covid-19 pandemic wondering what has been going on with this traveling circus in Finland and with all other circuses? How are these performers surviving?

[@marilynbirk6041]

Loved the horses, they look in top condition. And cute rescue dogs. Great doc.

[@omarrkoroma7859]

Loved the horses, they look in top condition. And cute rescue dogs. Great doc.

[@ayshamatthews]

My best freind lives In the circus she does ariel silks

[@Tintenfischchen]

I do dance, contortion and acro (including aerial silks and hoop) and I performed with a bunch of circuses when I was younger. It was a lot of fun, but I'm still glad I got to grow up without having to move all the time.

[@jak6744]

@@Tintenfischchen u still preform?

[@Tintenfischchen]

@@jak6744 Occassionally, yes :)

[@plague2179]

God I wish I was in a circus... But not one with animals.

[@FTY13]

So you're another dumb person that believes in lies put out by the internet grow up

[@fa-ls9jw]

the clown in the thumbnail looks like an old sharon needles

[@stellannie86]

I'd love to go to circuses if there weren't any animals.

[@Tintenfischchen]

There are circuses without animals. Cirque du Soleil is probably the most famous example, but there are others too! :)

[@stellannie86]

Seeing Cirque du Soleil at least once is on my bucket list! 😊 They just don't come to Finland that often. :/

[@divyamkapoor7625]

Why don't u prefer watching circus that have animals

[@Black_SoulGem]

@@divyamkapoor7625 because most of the time those animals are abused behind the scenes when they don't do what they are told to do. That's why doing your research on circuses with animal acts is important to do before you support them with your money.

[@FTY13]

What is it about young women and animal abuse ? Are you the only ones stupid enough to fall for these lies have you ever actually gone to a circus and talk to the trainers I bet not

[@shriekingbushpigshrieking]

4,531st bitches!

[@prashantkaushik5390]

Very Good See there Circus growing well-done guys!

[@FTY13]

A guy mentioned circus Olympia . Now I was watching a documentary on the Gasser family that come to Australia they had a photo of this show believe

[@MrPaulafish]

Very interesting documentary guys. Thanks for the upload! Some hot chicks too!! 😝

[@MsMoniss]

There is something about circus that make them creepy to me... don't know if it's the clowns or the music or what.. but it's a NO from me :-P

[@Sunnfloweropposum]

Idk i think circus themed stuff are cool

[@FTY13]

Maybe if you were intelligent enough to realise stereotypes and reality are different you'd actually enjoy it

[@feebsmicah]

The greatest showman anyone?

[@FTY13]

That movie was rubbish they did a 2-hour show in the first 3 minutes

[@LivvyAlexW]

Cool doc

[@pspspsjora]

They went to North Korea with the Circus??

[@Arandadryad]

Go Finland, Hyvä Suomi :) Nice to see some Finnish's documentaries.

[@weareacesendingnowbuckleup387]

please can i JOIN???

[@Hipppy1001]

Would it be a Circus Without the animal acts?

[@fionafiona1146]

Circe the solle? I don't even remember the spelling but I very much enjoyed it without any animal at all being mistreated (or featured in the first place).

[@Tintenfischchen]

Cirque du Soleil :) They have amazing shows!

[@FTY13]

​@@taz89fulyes in China they do bad things but not in the west so cut the stereotypes out grow up and find out the real truth which is on the internet for all to see

[@FTY13]

​@@fionafiona1146first of all animals don't get mistreated only in third world countries and circus Olay does use animals they just don't take them when they're going overseas because it's too traumatic

[@kuzotoothpaste2223]

👍👍

[@tally0224]

Sooo awesome, that they all remain friends!

[@preetpreet2042]

5th everyone is doing it why I m not. 😉🙏😊

[@MohamedAhmed-ut8rr]

2nd

[@lindafoster8154]

Ahmed Ali thx for being honest

[@hillarymack3207]

1st

[@lindafoster8154]

1st

[@katiep4813]

4th

[@MrLynch-ei4dc]

3RD MOFOS!!!!!

[@preetpreet2042]

5th everyone is doing it why I m not. 😉🙏😊

[@mardigrasw]

BORING !!!!!

[@stonkers7703]

Lmao it’s a documentary

[@Sunnfloweropposum]

Its called a documentary child

[@mardigrasw]

@@Sunnfloweropposum I'm glad you read the title. Winning!

[@FTY13]

Another one with the attention span of a 5-year-old