They come from vary diverse backgrounds but quickly become a close knit family, in fact in some cases their lives depend on each other.
![Dolly Jacobs and Rafael Palacios: incredible strength needed to make it look effortless (and safe) combined with the artistry of the choreography; practic practice practice](http://img.src.ca/2016/06/03/635x357/160603_ey0d3_rci-m-inair_sn635.jpg)
They are the circus performers..and oh don’t confuse them with carnival folks..that’s entirely different.
ListenThese circus entertainers work extremely hard at their various skills. To thrill the crowds in the big top, many of these acts are actually quite dangerous. They usually require various exceedingly high levels of timing, skill, and strength.
![Thelma Kemp holds a photo of herself when she was a star aerialist](http://img.src.ca/2016/06/03/635x357/160603_d246b_rci-m-kemp_sn635.jpg)
![Jeanette Williams- her act used to involve 24 trained horses.](http://img.src.ca/2016/06/03/635x357/160603_as0my_rci-m-24horse_sn635.jpg)
But after years of performing, the crowds, the noise, the applause, cheers, and gasps of amazement or fear from the onlookers, the reflexes, the strength fades, and they have to leave a tradition that is in their blood, something they truly love and can never ‘really’ leave behind.
![Dolly and Khera- training the next generation of aerialists in the tradition circus](http://img.src.ca/2016/06/03/635x357/160603_vj376_rci-m-dolly-khera_sn635.jpg)
![Caroline William- a circus has to have a horse act, that’s why circuses have the ring](http://img.src.ca/2016/06/03/635x357/160603_jl6dn_rci-m-horse_sn635.jpg)
Over a period of three years Viveka Melki of Tortuga Films in Quebec, spoke to many of these ageing performers in Sarasota Florida. She is the director of the documentary film, After Circus.
![Jackie LeClair, *Ambassador of Mirth*](http://img.src.ca/2016/06/03/635x357/160603_rr592_rci-m-clown_sn635.jpg)
*After Circus will be broadcast in Canada on Sunday, June 12 at 9 pm ET/10 pm PT.
![Director of the documentary film After Circus, Viveka Melki](http://img.src.ca/2016/06/03/635x357/160603_cl1gd_rci-m-nose_sn635.jpg)
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