Anders Riis-Hansen
Born 1963, Denmark. From 2004 to 2011 he worked as an editor at the Danish broadcaster DR1. Since 2011 he is co-owner of the production company Hansen & Pedersen Film og Fjernsyn. In 2009 he directed his first documentary theatrical feature film, THE INVISIBLE CELL (BLEKINGEGADEBANDEN).

Director’s statement
“THE CIRCUS DYNASTY is a story about how we deal with the expectations of our families. In our world it is not as obvious, but in the conservative world of circus it is explicit. Merrylu Casselly is the seventh generation in her circus family. Patrick Berdino is fourth generation on his father’s side and a lot more on his Spanish mother’s side. They all originate from poor backgrounds, and have been struggling to reach their artistic and economic status. No wonder that they feel a huge responsibility to live up to the expectations of their families. But for them, as for everyone else, love is difficult, especially, when it is combined with business”.