The Butterfly Circus
- At May 31, 2011
- By Nathan
- In Career Planning
- 0
Looking for a little inspiration in the midst of career struggles or an otherwise difficult journey though life? The award-winning short film “The Butterfly Circus” is well worth your time.
Set in the United States during the Great Depression, down and discouraged people are exposed to two very different takes on human dignity and potential by way of two travelling circuses. One takes advantage of Will, a severely disabled man played by Nick Vujicic. This circus benefited by routinely condemning him and keeping him down. But the leader of the Butterfly Circus, Mr. Mendez, together with the circus family – who are all really a lot like Will – help him struggle to joyfully realize his true potential.
“The greater the struggle, the greater the triumph,” Mr. Mendez says to Will one day. And Will is obviously facing seemingly overwhelming obstacles of magnitude that very few people can relate to. Then again, perhaps a great number of us know what it is like to feel like we really don’t have much to offer, and that the challenges we are facing will never, ever, in a million years, be overcome.
The importance of self-talk is emphasized throughout this brief and beautiful film. Sadly, Will initially believed the lies he learned from cruel people and accepted the labels others placed upon him. Slowly though, he learns that words like “magnificent” and “beautiful”could be applied to him.
Warmth, encouragement, and camaraderie are on display in the renowned Butterfly Circus, and you get the sense that Mr. Mendez finds great joy in seeing his performers “turn off” the internal and external voices that had been holding them back.
While this short film is a story about one man and two circuses, it is also about each one of us and two worldviews that are clamouring for our attention. Mr. Mendez may remind a lot of discouraged people about somebody else who has an interest in seeing them become all that they were created to be.
Whatever else may be said about “The Butterfly Circus” nothing will compare to the experience of actually watching it. The effect of great art on the human soul cannot be overstated.
Enjoy.
*Google the film title and you will soon be able to watch it online.
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