In a powerful testament to resilience and hope, Palestinian circus performers defied war and famine to spread joy amidst bombed-out buildings, as showcased in the documentary One More Show at the Cairo International Film Festival.
Despite the devastation surrounding them, clowns, jugglers, and stilt walkers continued performing, bringing brief moments of laughter and wonder to children and families in Gaza.
Filmed during the summer of 2024 amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, One More Show is co-directed by Egyptian filmmaker Mai Saad and Palestinian director Ahmed el-Danaf.
The film intimately captures the daily lives of the Free Gaza Circus, highlighting the courage and dedication of performers who risked their safety to keep the spirit of performance alive.
Ahmed el-Danaf, 26, filmed the troupe in Gaza, navigating destroyed neighborhoods, communication blackouts, and constant danger. “It was the first time I witnessed someone wanting to make a film about daily life, not just bombings and suffering,” he said.
Footage was gradually sent to Saad in Cairo, who spent over a year editing the film. “News often shows people as numbers from above.
I wanted to show life from below, among the peo
ple,” the 41-year-old director explained. The resulting film poignantly balances humor, exhaustion, and childhood innocence under the shadow of Israeli airstrikes.
The documentary shows performers sharing limited resources, from face paint to costumes, helping one another prepare for shows staged in schools converted into shelters.
Children gather around clowns with bright red noses, singing, clapping, and laughing. “Our goal was to let children see something beyond the war and destruction around them,” said troupe founder Youssef Khedr.
When northern Gaza was cut off by Israeli forces, the directors relied on footage filmed by the performers themselves, capturing rehearsals, performances, and nights spent under bombardment.
Khedr, a gymnastics and parkour specialist, relocated to southern Gaza, continuing to train and perform despite severe food shortages. By July 2024, famine forced the circus to suspend activities, as performers could not provide psychological support to children going hungry.
By August, the UN confirmed famine in Gaza City, with the health ministry reporting 157 child deaths from starvation. “Even we, as artists, were exhausted by hunger,” Khedr said.
Two performers were killed and three injured during strikes, while their northern Gaza rehearsal space was destroyed.
Following a fragile truce in October, the circus resumed with limited resources. Unable to attend the premiere due to travel restrictions, el-Danaf participated virtually, with Saad carrying a tablet on stage as the film won the “Youssef Cherif Rizkallah Audience Award”.
The $20,000 prize will fund the rebuilding of a circus center in Gaza, ensuring that the spirit of performance and hope continues to thrive in the conflict-ridden region.