Dark Circus is a story of transformation, a trip to the inner self, from deepest desires to darkest nightmares.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Julia Ostertag

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Well, I m a film maker. So I make films because I think this is what I'm good at.

Dark Circus is my 5th feature length film and my second narrative. After shooting two music documentaries I felt I need to return to my artistic roots and create a vision I felt I carried along with me for all my life. I put all of my fantasies, pain and fears in a script and created Dark Circus.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience Why should I watch this film?

You should watch it because I think it truly different. Dark Circus is the type of film that is rarely shot nowadays - it is s collection of weird and original characters playing themselves as other bizarre characters in a different place and time. a full parallel universe of magic is waiting there for you. You might find some new erotic fetishes inthat world as well highly aesthetic settings and rich costumes. it is the type of cinema that is influenced by the 1970s, by directors like Alejandro Jodorowsky and Kenneth Anger that used their films to transport a certain understanding of magic to the screen.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film deals with personal transformation, it illustrates the universal truth that at different points in your life you have the option to choose who you are or who you could be - that your own personality is more complex than you might assume and that you don't necessarily have to adjust and adapt to the normality of circumstances around you. Maybe another world is waiting for you - just around the corner. Just a hidden back door away.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

Yes there were different versions.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The film was released in September 2016.

The International Premiere took place in France Etrange Festival Paris and BUT Underground Film Festival Netherlands. The Film was awarded Best Feature at Manaus Horror & Underground Festival Brasil, and went on to Festivals in Mexico, Berlin and Braunschweig.

The feedback I get from people who like the film (the others mostly don't talk to me) has been really interesting - even the people who were part of the film basically did not know what to expect and they were pretty blown away from the turnout.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

To be honest no - it was exactly what I was hoping how the film would be received by the people who are into that type of movie.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

It would be great to find a DVD label for distribution and get more international festival exposure especially in countries it has not been screened yet.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I need DVD distribution and a few more film festivals as well as press coverage. The film is an english original and we have Spanish, Portuguese and Italian subtitles - so it is ready to be shown in a lot of countries.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How many identities do you have? what happens if you open up and face your desires as well as your demons?

Is there a parallel world where you could actually be someone else?

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

The key creative Julia Ostertag is traveling to Mexico, Italy and Brasil for screenings of her film and is organizing cinema screenings in Germany.

She will soon be shooting music videos for post punk and doom metal bands in Mexico and the US.

Interview: February 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Dark Circus

Dark Circus is a story of transformation, a trip to the inner self, from deepest desires to darkest nightmares.

Length:89mins

Director:Julia Ostertag

Producer:Julia Ostertag

Writer:Julia Ostertag

Key cast: Angela M. Romacker, Namjira As-Sefid, Annika Strauss, Florian Gysin, Nikolai Arnold

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists

Funders: Crowdfunding, Ursi Gysin

Made in association with: Ursi Gysin, Berlin Collection

Where can I see it in the next month?

Mexico City, Rome, Berlin