Children of the Chinese Circus
BBC4
Mon 4 Aug, 21:00-22:20 &
Tue 5 Aug, 01:20-02:40
An behind-the -scenes look at the rigorous regime undergone by students at the Shanghai Circus school where children as young as eight are trained to become acrobats and looking at what impact the training has on their developing bodies and also the demands made of teachers and parents. Contains some strong language. It's been on before, but it's being repeated twice today on BBC4.
This is a highly disturbing programme, and at times horrific.
I think most people would never want to go and see a Chinese circus if they saw this programme. The treatment of the children by the teachers and their parents were appalling. In particular, I found the attitudes of the teachers to be particularly objectionable.
Of course with the Olympics coming up, you have to wonder about the "training" (abuse and mistreatment) the Chinese athletes' would have had to endured.
More comments:
BBC - Storyville - Children of the Chinese Circus - Have Your Say
