APOCALYPSE CLOWN tells the tale of a troupe of failed clowns and an ambitious reporter who embark on a chaotic adventure of self-discovery after a mysterious solar event plunges the world into anarchy.
Directed by the BAFTA-nominated George Kane, Apocalypse Clown was written by Shane O’Brien, James Walmsley and Demian Fox from the multi-award-winning, Irish comedy outfit Dead Cat Bounce. It also features phenomenal performances by David Earl (Brian & Charles, After Life), Amy De Bhrún (The Bachelor Weekend), Fionn Foley (Dublin Oldschool), Natalie Palamides (Nate—A One Man Show), Ivan Kaye (Gunpowder Milkshake), and Tadhg Murphy (Brassic).
Send In The Clowns – Directed by George Kane – Photo by Ruth Medjber
More of a parody of the apocalyptic genre as a whole rather than something actually terrifying, Apocalypse Clown is a return to that old-school, laugh out loud comedy of the 90s. It’s a throwback to when outrageous was the standard and the jokes were purposely crass and classless. The film fires of pun after quip after bon mot as a furious pace, barely giving the audience time to catch up before the next round of wisecracks and witticisms are delivered.
Are delivered they are. The ensembled cast is absolutely flawless, with each embodying a stereotype associated with each kind of clown that you have grown to hate since they first scared the shit out of you as a child. Jokes aside, the acting is phenomenal and each of the leads brings something special to film without upstaging the other—no easy task.
Send In The Clowns – Directed by George Kane – Photo by Ruth Medjber
I’m sure there are meant to be all sorts of hidden messages demeaning modern forms of entertainments or the clowns themselves each being a metaphor for various mental illnesses or the seven deadly sins or some such thing…and I know it’s meant to be my job to have figured out this in-depth social commentary or whatever—but I didn’t and if it was there, I missed it.
As an English teacher by day, allow me to admit to you first hand that I care very little for the implicit meaning of colours in things or the hidden symbolism of Bobo’s mismatched socks. Blue clown sad, red clown angry…I get it. But films like Apocalypse Clown are simply far more entertaining when you can sit back, relax, tune into the mammalian brain mode and just watch the film for the sole purpose of having a laugh and feeling good. This film is wonderful for just that.
Send In The Clowns – Directed by George Kane – Photo by Ruth Medjber
Is Apocalypse Clown over the top? Yes, deliciously so. It is shamelessly ludicrous? It absolutely is. Does it contain the Oscar worthy line, “Oh Ralph! Dreadful pervert, of course. But by God, could that man draw a kangaroo!” I’m afraid that is does. It’s a borderline classic slapstick comedy in first gear for the entire ride and I loved every minute. I’ll acquiesce that it did, at times, cross that line and become a little cringy—but I cannot think of any good slapstick that does not.
Send In The Clowns – Directed by George Kane – Photo by Ruth Medjber
Apocalypse Clown will be in UK Cinemas from the first of September. Thanks for reading and as always, stay sordid. This one is not going to satisfy any apocalypse fans but it is absolutely going to tickle those funny bones. The artwork and trailer are posted below.
