Circo

A young circus artist searches for identity and belonging in Rio’s favelas

In Rio de Janeiro, Richard is a 20 year old circus performer who dreams of dazzling audiences in the largest circus tents in the world. His ambition seems clear and focused, but everything changes when his adoptive mother suddenly expels him from their home. Forced to navigate life alone, his once certain future becomes uncertain, and he begins a long personal journey to redefine who he is and where he belongs.

In the midst of this upheaval, Richard finds refuge in a vibrant community of drag performers, a space that encourages him to explore his identity and eventually transition to Ashilla. At the same time, spiritual traditions such as Candomblé offer him moments of hope and guidance, while the unwavering support of his sister remains a crucial anchor in his life. Their fragile family bond becomes a powerful source of resilience.

Filmed over several years through an intimate direct cinema approach, the documentary film Circo follows Richard’s evolving story against the wider backdrop of Brazil’s social and political tensions. As an Afro queer artist living in the favelas during a period marked by the rise of Jair Bolsonaro and his controversial rhetoric, Richard embodies communities whose identities and freedoms are under pressure. Through his dreams, struggles, and transformations, the film offers a deeply personal portrait of identity, resilience, and the search for a future shaped by one’s own aspirations.