The Free Gaza Circus
By Rita Di Santo
As Israeli airstrikes in Gaza continue, claiming lives and escalating tensions following the ceasefire—a recent strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis resulted in 17 fatalities, including five women and five children—the 46th Cairo Film Festival presented the documentary One More Show, directed by Egyptian Mai Saad and Palestinian Ahmed Al-Danaf. This powerful, immensely moving documentary follows the Free Gaza Circus, four courageous artists who make Gaza’s children laugh as bombs fall around them.
Mai Saad, passionate about circus arts, proposed the film to Al-Danaf after discovering the circus on social media. Al-Danaf, a Palestinian cinematographer and filmmaker from Gaza, meticulously documented the street artists’ efforts, closely following them day and night. He captured the footage on the ground in Gaza with a small crew and two cameras, while Saad oversaw the material and editing from Egypt. The film vividly portrays both hope and the distressing scenes of surrounding ruins—the remains of homes, schools, shops, and hospitals.
Despite the ongoing violence, Youssef, Batout, Ismail, and Mohamed, the professional performers of the Free Gaza Circus, which began in 2018, dedicate their time to the humanitarian mission of bringing smiles to the innocent victims of the conflict. The documentary tracks their journey from July 2024 as they reside in a shelter in Khan Younis, south of Gaza, an area severely damaged during the war.
Each day, they travel to various locations adorned with white makeup and red noses, entertaining through slapstick comedy and playful antics. The clowns inject a sense of normality into Gaza’s distressing environment. As soon as they arrive, children rush to them, watching with wide-eyed happiness. A courtyard or narrow road, once just a pile of ruins, transforms into a stage filled with laughter, showcasing the healing power of the human spirit.
The essence of One More Show reflects the resilience and determination of its artists, who navigate their journey with inspiring spirit. Their travels, whether in modest vehicles or crowded buses, underscore a shared commitment to storytelling that transcends challenges. The journey involves improvised transport through streets lined with ruins, with the vibrant blue Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop. These composed images bring audiences into the streets of Gaza, opening poetic curtains of reflection.
The documentary beautifully illustrates the artists’ unwavering hope and pursuit of dreams. This journey, marked by camaraderie and strength, testifies to the human spirit’s ability to flourish amidst adversity. It captures the brutality of violence and life within what they call a “safe zone,” a shrinking area in southwest Gaza designated by Israel.
Each evening, the four circus artists return to their shelter, sharing a simple meal of potato and aubergine while discussing their worries and family concerns. One night, a nearby drone strike compels them to check for survivors, confronting the strong smell of death. Back in bed, they ponder mortality, asking, “I wonder what it feels like to die.” This compassionate documentary showcases ordinary people who bravely persevere in dire conditions, presenting a serious, tender portrayal of a population enduring massive political cruelty.
This moment prompts reflection on the lack of safe places in Gaza, generating a sense of fear and horror among the population, with children being the most affected. It reminds us that half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population are children, who have lived under near-constant bombardment.
This documentary on Gaza is very different, as it doesn’t show the unwatchable images of fresh wounds but instead the faces of children facing their destiny of death, injury, and severe trauma of war.
