Man On a Tightrope

This is a fact-based account of a tiny Czech circus Troupe that managed to safely cross the Iron Curtain. The trouble begins after the communists overtake Czechoslovakia. Before that, the circus thrived, but then the communists forced all young performers into the military. The authorities then take away ownership and force the troupe to change the acts to support Party philosophies and forces them to perform for the benefit of the state. This deeply angers the proprietor, but he keeps silent and bides his time. Meanwhile he also tries to keep his daughter from getting further involved with the aimless lion tamer while also dealing with his disillusioned wife who thinks her husband a coward for not fighting the regime.