For clown philosophers like Slava Polunin, happiness is both an art form and a mission statement. Through constant and playful practice, Polunin has dedicated the past 40 years of his life to nurturing the art of foolishness. Blurring the line between fantasy and real life, Polunin’s famous shows have brought joy to millions of people around the world.

In this short film by the American Theatre Wing, enter the whimsical world of Slava Polunin and follow clowns Brent McBeth, Joel Jeske, and David Shiner through their routines. Rooted in physical comedy, clowning has been transcending cultural barriers since ancient times. Speaking the universal language of laughter, clowns bring people together to share in the joy and absurdity of the human condition. As said by Big Apple Circus clown Joel Jeske, “Clowns fall down so we don’t have to.”

Link to Video on National Geographic.