Plot
Sideshow: Alive on the Inside delves into the lives of former "freaks" who populated the sideshows of carnivals for years, until their treatment was deemed inhumane. This production, however, takes a somewhat different perspective. Rather than a scathing exposé, it offers insight into what happened in the performers' lives off-stage rather than on. There's Jeanie Tomaini, who, born with nothing below her waist, was known as the "Half-Woman," and Percilla, or "Monkey Girl," whose entire body is covered in hair. Both of these women married their co-workers -- human giants -- and led relatively normal lives outside of their profession. Also included is a wide variety of archival footage, which features old-time sideshow attractions such as Zip the Pinheaded Man, Siamese twins, the Human Pincushion, bearded ladies, and many more.
Genre(s):
Art and Experimental,Documentary,Epic and Historical,Special Interest
DVD Release Date:
08/19/2003
Themes:
Circuses & Carnivals
Tone:
Affectionate,Fanciful,Nostalgic,Quirky,Earthy
Keywords:
Siamese-twins,behind-the-scenes,bizarre,carnival,freak-show,retrospective,sideshow,strange