Whether it be the heart of a man, or the nature of a wild beast, be advised not to tread too far. Though one being from a documentary and the other from a work of fiction, both characters live surprisingly eventful lives brought on by their circumstances.

The Last Circus

The Last Circus (2010) is directed by Álex de la Iglesia and stars Carlos Areces. With a political backdrop, The Last Circus begins in the time of the Spanish Civil War from the late 1930s.The clown of focus is later succeeded by his son, Javier, who then begins his punctuated adulthood life. The film is an ultra dark and adventurous comedy that prevails with many entertaining moments of grotesque horror and uneasy laughter. It is packed with bravado and heightened drama, the bold essence of Spain.

Project Nim

Project Nim (2011) is directed by James Marsh and documents an ape’s journey from his birth in the 1970s. A chimpanzee named Nim was selected to be reared in the manner of a human child as prescribed by Herbert S. Terrace for linguistic research through Columbia University. The documentary does well to illustrate Nim’s life with archived material and interviews from many of the people who were close to him. Later admissions and summations are somewhat surprising by the key players toward the undomesticated beast.

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