Circus of Books Soundtrack (

Circus of Books Soundtrack (2019) cover

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Rating: 7.10/10 from 5000 votes
Tags: gay history, books, gay magazine
Alternate Names:
Title in Español:

Circus of Books

Title in Italiano:

Circus of Books

Title in Português:

Circus of Books

Synopsis

In 1976, Karen and Barry Mason had fallen on hard times and were looking for a way to support their young family when they answered an ad in the Los Angeles Times. Larry Flynt was seeking distributors for Hustler Magazine. What was expected to be a brief sideline led to their becoming fully immersed in the LGBT community as they took over a local store, Circus of Books.

A decade later, they had become the biggest distributors of gay porn in the US. The film focuses on the double life they led, trying to maintain the balance of being parents at a time when LGBT culture was not yet accepted. Their many challenges included facing jail time for a federal obscenity prosecution and enabling their store to be a place of refuge at the height of the AIDS crisis.

Circus of Books offers a rare glimpse into an untold chapter of queer history, and it is told through the lens of the owners' own daughter, Rachel Mason, an artist, filmmaker and musician.

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Circus of Books

User reviews

Dorothy Williams
8/10

The use of music in the film effectively transports the audience back to the 70s and 80s, creating a nostalgic and immersive experience.

Linda Lewis
9/10

The music selection in Circus of Books strikes a delicate balance between nostalgia and poignancy, creating a powerful atmosphere that resonates with the struggles and triumphs of the LGBT community during that era.

Edward Smith
5/10

The soundtrack of Circus of Books adds a poignant layer to the documentary, capturing the emotional complexities of the Mason family's journey through the LGBT community's struggles and triumphs.

Laura Young
9/10

The soundtrack of Circus of Books perfectly captures the emotional depth and complexity of the film's narrative. Each track enhances the storytelling and immerses the audience in the world of Karen and Barry Mason.

Ashley Martin
8/10

The variety of musical styles in the soundtrack adds layers of complexity to the storytelling, enriching the viewer's understanding of the era and its challenges.

Ronald Phillips
7/10

The soundtrack showcases a diverse range of artists and genres, reflecting the diverse and vibrant LGBT community portrayed in the documentary.

Thomas Martinez
8/10

Each track in the soundtrack evokes a specific mood or atmosphere, enhancing the overall impact of the film and creating a truly memorable viewing experience.

Michelle Turner
3/10

Additionally, I felt that some of the musical choices in the film were distracting and did not enhance the storytelling. The soundtrack seemed disjointed at times, pulling me out of the narrative rather than immersing me further into the world of Circus of Books and the LGBT community it served.

Kenneth Lee
8/10

Overall, the soundtrack of Circus of Books is a standout element of the film, elevating the storytelling and leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

George Rodriguez
6/10

Overall, the soundtrack of Circus of Books showcases a thoughtful curation of songs that resonate with the themes of family, resilience, and the evolving landscape of LGBT rights in America.

Patricia Carter
6/10

The music selection effectively sets the tone for different moments in the film, enhancing the storytelling and drawing viewers deeper into the personal experiences shared by the Mason family.

Kenneth Miller
8/10

The original compositions featured in the soundtrack are beautifully crafted and complement the narrative of the film seamlessly.

Ronald King
10/10

The original score of Circus of Books is a masterful blend of haunting melodies and uplifting themes, elevating the film to a whole new level of emotional resonance. It beautifully underscores the resilience and love that defined Karen and Barry's journey.

Joseph Hernandez
7/10

The musical choices in Circus of Books demonstrate a deep understanding of the time period and the cultural significance of the events depicted in the documentary.

David Hernandez
4/10

I found the soundtrack of Circus of Books to be quite underwhelming and lacking in emotional depth. The music did not effectively capture the intense struggles and complexities faced by the Mason family as they navigated the challenges of running a gay porn store while also being parents in a conservative society.

Charles Williams
7/10

The soundtrack of Circus of Books perfectly captures the emotional depth of the documentary, enhancing each scene with its poignant melodies.