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The Clown

Original title: O Palhaço
  • 2011
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
Selton Mello in The Clown (2011)
Backstage "The Clown" 34
Play clip0:54
Watch The Clown
12 Videos
16 Photos
ComedyDrama

Father and son work as clowns Puro Sangue/Valdemar and Pangare/Benjamin in a circus in the Brazilian countryside. Benjamin decides to follow a different path and meets several people on the ... Read allFather and son work as clowns Puro Sangue/Valdemar and Pangare/Benjamin in a circus in the Brazilian countryside. Benjamin decides to follow a different path and meets several people on the way.Father and son work as clowns Puro Sangue/Valdemar and Pangare/Benjamin in a circus in the Brazilian countryside. Benjamin decides to follow a different path and meets several people on the way.

  • Director
    • Selton Mello
  • Writers
    • Selton Mello
    • Marcelo Vindicato
  • Stars
    • Selton Mello
    • Paulo José
    • Larissa Manoela
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    5.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Selton Mello
    • Writers
      • Selton Mello
      • Marcelo Vindicato
    • Stars
      • Selton Mello
      • Paulo José
      • Larissa Manoela
    • 10User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 50 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos12

    The Clown
    Clip 0:54
    The Clown
    The Clown
    Clip 0:39
    The Clown
    The Clown
    Clip 0:39
    The Clown
    The Clown
    Clip 0:57
    The Clown
    The Clown
    Clip 0:34
    The Clown
    The Clown
    Clip 0:46
    The Clown
    The Clown
    Clip 0:52
    The Clown

    Photos15

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    + 10
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    Top cast43

    Edit
    Selton Mello
    Selton Mello
    • Benjamim…
    Paulo José
    Paulo José
    • Valdemar…
    Larissa Manoela
    • Guilhermina
    Giselle Motta
    • Lola
    Teuda Bara
    • Dona Zaira
    Álamo Facó
    • João Lorota
    Cadu Fávero
    • Tony Lo Bianco
    Erom Cordeiro
    Erom Cordeiro
    • Robson Félix
    Hossen Minussi
    • Chico Lorota
    Maira Chasseroux
    • Lara Lane
    • (as Maira Chasseraux)
    Thogun Teixeira
    • Gordini
    • (as Thogun)
    Michelle Martins
    • Glória
    Bruna Chiaradia
    • Justine
    Renato Macedo
    • Borrachinha
    Tony
    • Meio-Quilo
    • (as Tony Tonelada)
    Pritty Borges
    • Ana
    Fabiana Karla
    Fabiana Karla
    • Tonha
    Jorge Loredo
    Jorge Loredo
    • Nei
    • Director
      • Selton Mello
    • Writers
      • Selton Mello
      • Marcelo Vindicato
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews10

    7.25.9K
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    Featured reviews

    2focv77

    Don't be fooled

    Very bad the film "O PALHAÇO" (The Clown), directed and played by Senton Mello. I pity for the children that I saw many mothers taking to watch this annoying movie, thinking it would supply the lack of a actual circus nowadays in Brazilian big cities. The story tells about a depressed clown,but the cheating advertising from Imagem Filmes hides that. It is a boring movie, depressing, irritating, long-winded, tedious, filled with many unnecessary sequences, as well as with dead times and jokes with no fun at all. The few jokes are about farts and low humorous things like that. I was compelled several times to leave the session in the middle, and it was a relief to realize that it was not a very long movie.
    9fabriciocpacheco

    Simplicity, brilliant

    I've saw the movie "O Palhaço" and my expectation about the movie was positive, because they really show the beginning of the circus, and was just like this. If you compare with a modern circle, you won't like the movie, because they are in another reality.

    Between the old circus and the circus of nowadays the clown will always be the celebrity.

    About director, actors, everyone did a great job, same as the soundtrack who gives to the movie the truth perspective, by the way the soundtrack is amazing.

    So, I recommend this movie.
    8someguysemen

    Clown tragedy

    The Clown is a charming Brazilian film from 2011 that's definitely worth a watch! Directed by Selton Mello, who also stars as the lead character, Paiva, the film delves into the life of a circus clown navigating personal identity and the bittersweet struggles of life behind the makeup. What I loved most about it is its balance between comedy and deeper emotional moments. It's definitely a story about finding one's place in the world, which resonates with everyone in some way. The cinematography captures the vibrant yet melancholic atmosphere of the circus beautifully, and the performances are heartfelt, especially Mello's portrayal of a clown grappling with feelings of inadequacy and longing. The film is filled with small, touching moments-like the bond between Paiva and his fellow performers-that really pull you in.

    It's funny, it's sad, and it's oddly uplifting.
    9micaelrodrigo

    Simple, but complete

    In his second work as director, Selton Mello was able to abstract from simplicity and ingenuous humor an exceptional and complete piece. A very short film, without clichés or redundancies, that touches us as well as makes us laugh at simple scenes. Remarks on the Brazilian dramaturgy pearls recovered in unique scenes. We got to understand the clown's agony without getting blue, and we follow his search for a reason. Exceptionally, the first hour with all its monotony flies and we do not realize. As the last half hour conclusion (with a "golden key", as one would say) widens so we can enjoy every second. Simplicity, ingenuity, genius that make reach the completeness of the show.
    10farneynunes

    Short but wonderful

    It's a short movie, but it's wonderful. There's nothing new in it, but it makes us to remember how simple life used to be. We can see in this movie the purity of Carlitos in the main character, and how circus was important in people lives before television. It brings back some old actors who haven't seen for long as Ferrugem, Jose Loureiro, Paulo José and Moacir Franco. It's a movie that you can see with all family, there are no obscenities. It's a comedy, but you almost cry in some parts with the beauty of the plot. I must say this is the best Brazilian movie of the year and Selton Melo is becoming not only a good actor, but also a good director.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The official entry of Brazil to the Best Foreign Language Film at the 85th Academy Awards 2013.
    • Goofs
      The film takes place in the 70's. In the first scene, however, when the circus convoy is coming through a dirty road, the license plate of the biggest truck is a red one featuring three letters and four numbers. That license layout was established in 1990 in Brazil.
    • Quotes

      Valdemar: My son, In this life, we have to do what we know how to. Cats drink milk, mice eat cheese... and I'm a clown. What about you?

    • Connections
      Referenced in Stars: Episode dated 29 October 2011 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Bons Ventos
      Written by Plínio Profeta & Selton Mello

      Performed by Selton Mello

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 28, 2011 (Brazil)
    • Country of origin
      • Brazil
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • Palyaço
    • Production companies
      • Bananeira Filmes
      • Globo Filmes
      • Mondo Cane Filmes
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,960,601
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 28m(88 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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