MovieChat Forums > Circus Discussion > Circus and Carrier

Circus and Carrier

posted 13 years ago by photonphon
5 replies | jump to latest

Both these PBS originals parallel each in every which way. With 2 hours of Circus yet to air both series are character driven, filmed and edited the same, and present a choice of lifestyle that give structure but reward little (as far as worldly worth). And this is what makes these two programs appeal immensely to a lower middle class demographic, a demographic which is increasing at an alarming rate. The producers at PBS sense this and therefore continue on with programming like Carrier and Circus. As a lower middle class demographic myself, I love these two shows. Though personally I won't go running off and joining the Navy or...The Circus.

Must be take a worm for a walk week

[–] layton59 13 years ago

Yes, both have lifestyles that are beyond hard.

I am glad that I did not pursue either vocation.

Carrier got old fast by showing that one sailor go on endlessly over that girlfriend that turned out to not be worth two cents at the end.

************************************************
Ye Olde Sig Line:

It should be "I can NOT care less."

You are at the lowest level of caring.

[–] OCOKA 13 years ago

...present a choice of lifestyle that give structure but reward little.

Yes, that's certainly one way of looking at it, but then again, if the theme of these productions were to focus on unrewarding, labor-intensive careers, why didn't they do one on other menial laborers like foodservice/retail workers at McDonald's or Wal-Mart, or migrant workers like fruit pickers for example?

They didn't b/c the common theme between Carrier and Circus isn't about people with difficult and dangerous jobs, but rather people who have an adventurous spirit, people who cannot or will not stay tied down to any one location for a meaningful length of time, people who are attracted to a lifestyle that is considered rootless and shiftless by others, people who are basically transient.

The military -- particularly the Navy -- is the ultimate journeyman/vagabond career, where young, highly mobile and transient members of society who are rootless adventure-seeking types, can make a temporary or long-term niche for themselves, while indulging in every wanderlust desire they've ever had.

The travelling circus, just like the navy, is also the epitome of a transient and bohemian lifestyle with all the trappings and security of job, home, friends, family and community wrapped into one. I think the producers are trying to capitalize on this unique kind of lifestyle that is considered exotic by most, while offering a documentary form of escapist entertainment that offers a sympathetic, yet voyeuristic view into a world that many know little or nothing about.

[–] TheEmulator23 13 years ago

It's funny somebody else mentioned the similarities because that's exactly what I thought to. "Carrier" was produced by Mel Gibsons' company ICON, this however isn't (I don't think) Makes you wonder if some of the same people weren't involved anyway. I just finished the last ep & I wish there were more a la "Carrier" which was 10 hours.

[–] thomasdosborneii 13 years ago

That was an excellent observation and analysis, OCOKA, and I think quite valid. All the weight of influence pushed onto people is to get a job, get married, settle down, and if they do follow that, I think they always wonder what life would have been like if they hadn't gone that route. This is like the Peter Allen song, "I Could Have Been A Sailor" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOQKxeoLj2c ), people are never really quite sure whether they made the better choice or not and retain a curiosity about the other side.

[–] oikoumene 13 years ago

Guys! Both documentaries are by directors/producers Maro Chermayeff and Jeffrey Dupre! 'Nuff said...