Watch Cirque du Soleil: Dralion

Cirque du Soleil: Dralion is a 2001 film directed by Guy Caron and David Mallet that captures an amazing blend of ancient Chinese acrobatics and Western contemporary circus aesthetics. The film features a unique cast of performers from around the world that includes jugglers, aerialists, clowns, and dancers who bring the stage to life with their remarkable skills and beauty.

The show takes place in a unique and magical world called Dralion, where four ancient elements - air, water, fire, and earth - harmoniously coexist. The film's central theme is the balance between opposites, represented by the graceful and regal dragon (Chinese symbol for fire) and the powerful and untamed lion (African symbol for earth).

The opening scenes show a solitary dragon moving to different parts of the stage as mysterious music plays in the background. Soon, multiple performers dressed in dragon costumes emerge onto the stage, accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums. The dragon performers used kung-fu-inspired moves that left viewers impressed by their agility and strength.

The Lion costume inspired a different aspect of the show. The jungle atmosphere enraptured the performers with a pulsing energy: the performers erupted onto the stage with athleticism and grace, making use of tricky balancing acts, stunning jumping skills, fearless tumbling, and acrobatic arts.

Another notable act is the hoop diving, which involves performers diving through small hoops and performing acrobatic moves on trampolines. The performers' athleticism and synchronized movements were particularly impressive, as they slide in and out of the hoops with effortless grace.

The film's centerpiece is the aerial silk performance, where two performers executed gravity-defying stunts while utilizing long, flowing silks. The aerialist would execute different acrobatic moves such as drops, twists and flips that left the audience jaw-dropped. The performers in Cirque have some of the most amazing control of gravity, and with music and lighting, make it seem as though they are not bound by the laws of physics.

If you are a fan of drums and percussion, the drumming at the start is simply beautiful. The drumming is also maintained when the performers go into the air, creating atmospheric tension and excitement. The music is a crucial component of this film: it energizes, soothes, and complements the performers' movements, adding mood to the show.

The film captures Cirque Du Soleil's greatest strength: vibrant energy and beautiful performances that elevate non-traditional circus acts. The performers demonstrate an impressive range of talents and disciplines, from juggling to acrobatics, opera to African music, fancy footwork to dazzling aerial artistry.

What surprises most in Cirque du Soleil: Dralion is its powerful visual storytelling. The film utilizes its lighting, costumes, and stage to their full potential. The sets, lighting, and the content work in unison to transport the audience to the magical world of Dralion. The acrobats, jugglers, clowns, gymnasts move throughout the stage gracefully, rolling, flipping and performing impressive pyrotechnivs that leave the audience raving.

In summary, Cirque du Soleil: Dralion is an enchanting movie that leaves audiences awe-struck. The film features breathtaking performances, full of visual poetry, acrobatics, aerial theatrics, and fantastic multi-cultural choreography that leave viewers wishing for more. The performers flow freely, their upbeat performances and high-flying acrobatics enhancing the engrossing story, making the overall circus a beautiful spectacle.