What makes someone decide to hit the road and join a carnival troupe?

It's a lifestyle of little stability, dismal pay and tiring work yet it offers much appeal and perhaps a glorified romantic way out for many people.

Inspired by the stories of wandering carnys, and the beautiful imagery captured in Virginia Lee Hunter's book, CARNY AMERICANA ON THE MIDWAY, Director Alison Murray follows the lives of a handful of eccentric characters and documents their reasons for taking to the road and finding a new family of clowns, ride operators, hot dog stand owners and other sorted members of the carnival.

Behind the bright lights, whizzing sounds and merriment, there are dark tales of difficult pasts, perplexing presents and the story of hope that comes with each new destination. Haunting, heartbreaking and very humanizing, Murray captures the lives of carnys in a dignified and poignant way.

~ Jen McNeely

How did you decide on this subject matter?

Stills photographer Virginia Lee Hunter approached me with the mock up of her new book CARNY AMERICANA ON THE MIDWAY; she had spent ten years photographing and interviewing carnys. When I saw her photos and read the interviews we agreed it be great to make a doc. Virginia and I had met at the Hobo Convention years earlier when I was shooting my doc about trainhopping.

What was your main objective in making this film?

To understand why people choose to work for a travelling carnival.

What were the toughest challenges you face?

Not puking whilst filming on fairground rides.

What is the most rewarding result from the making of your film?

Gaining the trust of our carny subjects, usually quite a wary and closed bunch.

If you had to use three words to describe your film, what would they be?

Thrills Spills and Chills!

Carny Screenings:

Saturday April 19th - 9:45 PM, Royal Cinema

Monday April 21st - 11:55 PM, Bloor Cinema

Tuesday April 22nd - 9:30 PM, Innis Town Hall